Legacies

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in my mother-in-law’s memorial service.  As is true of most funerals, several people shared stories from her past.  It was great to remember fun shared times together.  I chose to spend my time looking to the future.

I was thinking about the parable of the talents the other day.  I thought about how the master gave varying talents of money to his servants.  At the end of the parable the master returned to see what they had done with the money they were given.  They were rewarded according to the faithfulness of their stewardship.  I imagine that on December 2^nd when mom entered the presence of her Master she was asked “What did you leave behind?”  “What did you do with the talents I gave you?”  In other words, “what is your true legacy?”  It is a person’s legacy that lasts for generations after they complete their earthly journeys.

So, what is the legacy of my mother-in-law? She spent decades sharing ministry alongside her lifelong companion who was a Nazarene chaplain in the Navy.  In truth we will never begin to understand the positive influence of those many years of service.  I wonder of myriad marriages that were saved and enriched through her ministry.  We will never know how those enhanced marriages influenced the lives of their children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Deuteronomy tells us the those who are faithful will find God’s blessing visiting the thousandth generation. Let that geometric progression sink in for a while.  Perhaps it is like numbering the grains of sand on the seashore.  Or, as a nurse, consider the number of patients who experienced her love and compassion during their most difficult times.  We will never know how that ministry touched lives as she became the hands of God.  I recently had the privilege of visiting a church that was funded in part by money that came from mortgaging their home.  It was a blessing to see how their obedient investment helped a small Nazarene church grow into, perhaps, the strongest Nazarene church I have experienced.  The legacy continues to march on.

Coming closer to home, I looked out and saw her most prized legacy – her family.  If you’ve married one of her children, you have heard the praises of the Huffman family experience for decades.  If they had been raised Catholic, I have no doubt that the beatification process would be in full swing.  The thing is, for the three of us that got to join this family as adults, we have been witness to the truthfulness of our spouses’ stories.  We have been the blessed ones who have benefited from the character emblazoned in her children.  We were blessed to witness their genuine love of Christ and a commitment to serve that is unwavering.  We’ve been able to see our spouses pour out the Huffman love, compassion, and mercy on our children in a way that mirrored their parents.  Those grandchildren are now mostly grown and raising their own families.  Those same grandchildren love Jesus and are raising their own families to do the same.  Greatgrandchildren are also being taught about the same Jesus that Grandma Huffman learned to love as a young child.  That’s a legacy worth pursuing.

I think about the care her children provided in the last chapter of her earthly life.  From wrapping her swollen, weeping legs, to bringing special treats, to visiting and praying for her – her legacy became evident.  Her children wanted to honor her because of the love and respect they had for her.  Visits from grandchildren and great grandchildren would brighten her days like nothing else could.  Their pictures covered her door.

So, here’s how I envision that eternal meeting on December 2^nd going.   I imagine God asking about her legacy and her being speechless.  I then imagine God opening the curtains of eternity and allowing her to see the eternal expanse of the legacy that came from her incredible life.  I then hear the words that each of us pray we hear when we finally stand in his presence. “Well done, Elizabeth, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”  I see God placing a crown emblazoned with countless jewels representing the innumerable good deeds accomplished during her life placed on her head.  Then, knowing the humility she displayed in life, I see her take the crown from her head and place it at the feet of her Savior.  What a legacy!!

We are all creating a legacy – the part of us that lives on long after we leave this earth.  Some will build strong legacies that bless the generations to come.  They will be faithful in the earthly ministries that God has given them, beginning in their families.  They will serve Christ well and their faith will shine for generations to come.  Some will not build such strong legacies as their focus is on the here and now instead of eternity.  The good news is it’s not too late to choose the legacy you will leave.  And you get to choose.  Do your children and grandchildren see the love of Christ shining in you?  Do they see a life of service to the church that let them know how important Jesus is to you?  When God opens the expanse of eternity to show you your true legacy, what do you want to see?  I pray you will choose wisely.

Blessings,

Pastor Doug