"A Legacy"
Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and
consider
what your hands have done. (NIV)
I opened the closet and sighed. My New Year’s resolution
to clean out all the clutter of my home suddenly seemed overwhelming.
How do I begin to sort through all the stuff I have collected over
the years?
As I lift a long forgotten box from the shelf, the dust scatters.
Sneezing, I peek curiously into the cardboard container. Ahh! My
children’s memories box! Crayon-colored cards, plaster molds
of kindergarten hands, report cards, whisper recollections of their
childhoods long past. Precious reminisces flood my mind as sweet
tears spring to my eyes.
Sifting through the priceless cache, I feel the Lord nudge my heart
with these questions, “What treasures are you leaving
for your children to remember? Are you leaving a legacy for them
to follow?”
Suddenly a new resolution springs to my mind. I want my children
to find a legacy of faith when they divide my belongings after I
am gone. I begin to sing the lyrics of Find Us Faithful the
old song by Steve Green.
May the footprints that we leave, lead
them to believe
and the lives we live, inspire them to obey.
Turning from the cluttered closet, I march to my own jumbled bedroom
closet. Reaching to the top shelf, I grab down dusty volumes of my
history with God. I begin to gather the spiritual souvenirs that
will guide my children through my walk of faith. I dig out my old
completed Bible studies, tear-stained and joy-filled prayer journals,
favorite inspiring books, and dog-eared dilapidated Bibles. These
records of my faith will reveal to my children the many moments of
my doubts, struggles, and heartaches, but more importantly, they
will chart the years of God’s faithfulness in my life. They
will provide an accurate and enduring map of my journey of learning
to trust the heart of Jesus, even in the most difficult moments of
my life.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spy an old cedar chest tucked in
the back of the closet that holds old blankets. Hmmm…I decide
the chestnut furniture will now become the safety deposit box that
will guard the heritage my children will someday inherit. They will
reveal a legacy of God’s never-ending love, mercy, and goodness
in my life. As I carefully place collectibles of faith into the chest,
I pray that my life will become a living inheritance to the goodness
of God to all those who come after me.
Whispers from the Heart:
Lord, this year let me remember, I am leaving a legacy for all those who come behind me. Help me to live a life that glorifies Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray that my life will encourage others to trust in you not only now, but in the upcoming days. Lord, let my legacy of faith inspire my children and future grandchildren.
© 2006 By Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved. To Comment on this devotional, please contact us.
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