Three men were discussing what they would like for the preacher to say in their eulogy. The first said, “I would like him to say, ‘He was a good husband’” The second said. “I would like for them to say he was a good father.”
The third said, “I would like them to say—Looks he’s moving!”
What would you like for people to say about you at your funeral?
After you are buried, people are going to go back to the church and eat potato salad; they will talk about you. They won’t talk about your degrees, nor will they talk about your wealth.
They will tell stories. Stories about the time you changed a tire for a woman with three kids on the side of the road. Or the time you repaired a porch for a widow. Some of their stories will be funny, and some will be serious.
What is your life saying? Here are a few thoughts about living a positive legacy. Last Christmas my son bought a book entitled dad’s Story. I opened it expecting to find pointers on being a good father.But no, it was filled with blank pages and questions to answer. It was a place to tell the story of my life. Your values, important stories that you wanted to pass on, things learned from life, your relationship with Jesus. Helpful things you have discovered about living good life.
A book, or notebook, is called a spiritual legacy, or sometimes an ethical will. It is a will about the values you tried to live by. Lessons you want to pass on. There will be the important things we never get to telling our family.
1. Make your time with loved ones count. Often we bypass time with family for the next work project.
2. Let people see through the actions that you loved God and people. Your actions will be louder than your words.
3. Make your example count. Influence other people with your volunteering, and with your support of projects that are important.
4. Don’t just leave a will, leave an ethical will. An ethical will shares the values of your life. It is a letter about the things that were important to you. It will be an opportunity to share the convictions of your heart.Use this opportunity to bless those who are listening.
5. Share your wisdom. You can leave a memoir for your family and close friends, Not necessarily a published book. It can just be a short book on what you have learned over life.
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” Proverbs 3:13 Just a word to a younger generation. Things you record may be on the internet for a generation. Before you make some of your Tic Tok videos imagine your grandchildren saying one day, “That’s grandma?!”) Tell them what you have learned about God in your relationship with Him.
Above all, seek God’s guidance as you navigate this season of legacy. Spend time in prayer, meditate on His Word, and listen for His voice. Surrender your desires to Him and allow Him to guide you on the path of fulfilling your unique purpose.
As we walk through this life, there are things that will enrich your families life as they live.
And together you will continue to inspire their lives.
