Right before Mother’s Day I was given the privilege to speak at a Mother/Daughter Tea at Living Faith Christian Fellowship in Oak Harbor, WA. Pastor Linda Jenkins told me the theme was “Legacy”. The word “legacy” had been reverberating in my spirit for weeks before then, and I knew that I needed to share with their women.

A legal will is used to determine the allocation of material acquisitions. Yet this is only
part of leaving a legacy. In preparing for my sharing at Living Faith, I asked our son, Andrew, what he thought legacy was. His answer, “Mom, everyone leaves a legacy—it is the matter of are you leaving the legacy of your choice? Or is it by default?”

A true legacy is a combination of emotional and financial elements including family traditions, history, the sharing of stories, values and wishes. Every family has its strengths and weaknesses. In examining legacy we find that as usual it is more “caught” than taught! Teaching is important, but our example backs up every teaching that we do.

Psalm 78:1-7 declares: O my people, listen to my teaching, open your ears to what I am saying, For I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past---stories we have heard and know, Stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of his power and the might miracles he did. For he issued his decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—that they in turn might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Thus they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful refusing to give their hearts to God.

I began to think about what important legacy’s I want my children and grandchildren to have from my life. Here is that list. I encourage you to sit down and write your own list.

1. I want them to know that I loved the Lord and that I never have regretted obeying His voice. As ministers we have had to “pay a price”, but the cost has always been worth it. It is one of the truths I stand on.

2. I want them to know that walking with the Lord and in His ways is the best way to live their life. I must be an example of the believer. I must allow Christ to be formed in me in order for them to see Him through me.

3. I want them to know my testimony of His faithfulness and reality in my life. I must make the time to tell them these stories.

4. I want them to know that through prayer we have access to Him during times of blessing as well as during times of trouble. How and what I talk to God about teaches them how real He is to me.

5. I want them to know that God longs to be brought into the every day real world. Through my example in sharing answers to prayers will help them form an understanding of how He cares for us.

6. I want them to receive God’s legacy for them for example: Jesus left us a legacy of Peace. I want them to understand how to access this peace, and it can only happen as I actually walk it out, not just talk about it. I must learn to access it myself!

7. I want them to learn how to solve problems from a Christian world view. Isaiah 54:17 declares “No weapon formed against you shall prosper…this is the heritage of the Children of the Lord”. I want them to understand that we have authority as a believer to deal with difficulties and be an over comer. I must walk in that example.

8. I want them to learn how to enjoy life. I do enjoy my life—but I also realize that I have not perfected this area. There is so many wonderful ways to enjoy God’s creation and the life He has given us. I am still learning how abundant the abundant life is!

9. I want them to know I wasn’t perfect, but I strove to move toward His excellent way. They must know that I confess and repent of my sin and shortcomings and that there is forgiveness and a corresponding liberty when I do.

10. I want them to know the Bible is full of life, wisdom and is the foundation to build your life upon. I must share it with them in a way that they know it is life giving, not life demanding. It is not a chore to read the Bible daily, but a life giving habit that more than repays the time it takes.

11. I want them to know the grace and mercy of God. I will be careful to walk in the grace and mercy myself.

12. I want them to know that His body is full of wonderful people. I will speak well of those in His household and again, be an example of the believer.