Steve Green sang a song years ago about leaving a legacy. Here are some of the lyrics:
“After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone, And our children sift through all we’ve left behind, May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover, Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find”
“Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful; May the fire of our devotion light their way; May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe, And the lives we live inspire them to obey, Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.”
Judges 2:10 says, “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel.” Now that is a scary passage if you ask me!
Last week Sid and I went on a road trip. We traveled to Houston, TX to see his 94 yr old mom who is in a rehab facility undergoing therapy after sustaining an injury in a fall she took about a month ago. Grandma, as we fondly refer to her, is an amazing woman. She is a retired schoolteacher and principal whose life was dedicated to serving others. There are many things I could tell you about her but the one thing I love the most is that she continues to unashamedly tell others about Jesus!
She shared with us how she had talked to a man at her dinner table probably in his 80’s who was not a believer and asked him if he knew Jesus. He got angry and walked away because he didn’t want to answer her question. However, the next night he was right back at the table and she took up where she had left off!
There are many similar stories whether it is children who are gathered around her, people in her neighborhood, a restaurant, or you name it, wherever she is, her desire is to always be a witness for Christ. No telling how many people have come to know Jesus through her witness.
Leaving Houston we stopped in LA to see my parents. My mom and dad moved back to the town they both grew up in about five years ago. Mom told me about a long time friend who had stopped by the house for a visit and they have been sharing with him about Jesus. They are burdened for their friends and are faithfully witnessing to several.
One thing is for sure, the generation coming behind our parents will know of the Lord and the things He has done for our families. They might not choose to accept Him but it won’t be because they haven’t heard. I’m grateful for the legacy of parents who are still sharing their faith in Jesus so that the generations who come behind them may know Him.
Those 5 days and 1,820 miles were tiring physically but oh so inspiring as we were reminded of the importance of sharing our faith. What about you? Are you being intentional to tell your children and grandchildren about the Lord? I pray it won’t be said on our watch “after that whole generation had died, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done.”
Speaking of passing on a legacy, encourage your husband to sign up for the Man Up conference this Sunday from 5-9 at Long Hollow. Also if you have a son 16 yrs or older, they are invited too! It will definitely be a man club night! Would you pray with me for the Man Up Conference and all who will be attending? Ask God to pour out His Spirit in an amazing way among the men of our church.
Julie