What's In A Legacy?

There's much talk about inheritances when folks lose a loved one from the family. Often times this is when the quarreling and fighting begins. Those left behind bicker over who gets what from the estate and belongings of the one who passed. Unfortunately, the material things are all that is able to be passed on to the loved ones left because there was no true legacy built. I heard someone say recently that a person's death bed doesn't build a legacy it REVEALS it. 

In other words, the building should have already been done before the time of the death bed comes. True legacy is the deep and abiding things taught to the rest of those left gathered around that death bed as they say their goodbyes. 

Good character, good work ethics, kindness, compassion for others, honesty, respect, the knowing that someone felt loved unconditionally, faith in God and joy in life are all things a legacy are built upon. These are the things that can be read in the faces of those gathered around some one's death bed. Legacy is about the things that last. 

Sometimes, we get the chance in life to see glimpses of our legacy before that death bed comes. We see our influence on our children, grandchildren and even friends or church members. It brings my heart joy during those times I've been allowed to glimpse that influence in others and know that I impacted in a positive way. I see my kids fight to understand Scripture and I see good work ethic on the job. I've seen little kids I have taught over the years repeat and teach those younger than them the same things I taught them when they didn't know I was watching. I've seen ladies under my influence grow in grace and patience with their kids and with others. 

When you go through periods of illness and struggles, you become acutely aware of how much closer the death bed looms and during rough times may even pray for that death bed! You wonder just what kind of legacy you have built and what will someday be revealed after you're gone. I know the legacies that were left to me by my parents and grandparents and others. Will the legacy I leave be as good or as strong and have such an impact? I sure pray so! I hope I will have left the best parts of me. My biggest desire in life is that I will have made a difference. I want it to have mattered that I was ever born. Loving truly those I care about and serving the Lord is the best way I know to accomplish building a good legacy. 

Remember, you can't build your legacy after you're gone. It must be built along the way of your life. Just something to consider.