This is True Confession time….I am a DIY and HGTV junky.  In particular, I’m addicted to the shows where they take homes that are falling down, old, and yucky and restore them to beauty, strength, and safety.  There is nothing more enjoyable to me than sitting with a good cup of coffee, a lit candle, and my favorite shows.  When the program hosts walk into the house its condition shows that the house had lived a lifetime with a multitude of memories. I especially get excited when they tear down walls and find remnants of the house from the past.  Sometimes it is an architectural plan, sometimes architectural pieces. They keep everything that is worth re-using or important to the history….as these homes have a story of its own.  In a sense….the house leaves a legacy.

As I mentioned in part 2 of “But God…” there were 500 people at David’s funeral service, all of whom he became a part of their lives in some way.  David had a passion for preaching/teaching and training seminary students, as well as those getting their graduate degrees.  He mentored many new believers who grew to love him and the Word he brought to them.  I have questioned and have moments when I do not understand why God would take him so young when he could have had many years more of teaching and preaching.  BUT GOD…lovingly reminds me that his death will not be the end of his legacy.  It will go forward through those he touched for generations.  David LEFT A LEGACY AS WELL A LEGACY GOING FORWARD. I have received many texts, notes, cards, and comments since his death telling me how he influenced their lives by being a friend, a mentor, and God’s messenger.  Some of these men hope to go into ministry or teach.  David shared his past with new believers.  That included the good times and hard times, which God used to grow his faith and take him into ministry in hopes of passing on what he had learned.  He gave them the good news that their past and future can be laid at the foot of the cross.  He gave HOPE to those who thought there was no hope of spending eternity in heaven.  God will use David’s legacy to further His plan to continue and use whatever David started and did not finish.  James Dobson stated, “Heritage is what you give someone.  Legacy is something you do in someone.”

Just as the old houses I love have left a legacy and David has left a legacy behind…you and I will leave one as well.  The question is…what are we leaving behind?  We each have a story of our own.  One that is written by God.  Everything that goes on in our lives (including the death of a much-loved son and dedicated pastor at age 49) has been used and continues to be used by God to affect some part of our lives.  It is NEVER wasted.   

The past remnants of our life are an important part of what we leave behind.  Many times, it is tempting to ignore the parts of our lives we find hard to share.  However, these are important because we know from scripture that we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. In 2 Cor 3:18 we are told “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with an everlasting glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  Remembering our past allows us to see how He has worked and is working in our lives which we can in turn share with someone else.  One blessing of being older is that I can look back and see what God has done; His goodness to me; and am able to look forward with confidence in where He is taking me.  The view gets a little clearer.

Scripture tells us that Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist) mentored Mary’s heart when she learned she was chosen to be the mother of the Lord, Jesus.  (Luke 1:39-45) Can you only imagine the questions Mary must have had for Elizabeth?  When we do Elizabeth type work in our daughters, granddaughters, and other women’s lives, I believe we will see a revival in the coming generations.  No matter where we are in life, legacy is for EVERY age and EVERY season. 

As women we have a unique opportunity to affect the lives of those around us. Never before has it been more important to share our lives with women of all ages who are seeking to learn what living a godly life looks like today.  The culture tells us that women are independent and self-sufficient.  However, it does not take long to realize how dependent we are on God when faced with pain, fear, sickness, or grief.  Faith carries multigenerational influence.   The gospel should be the motivation for the legacy we leave behind.  We trust God for the outcome and results.  We may never know the fruit from our legacy.  The fruit may come after our death, just as in David’s after his death.  May it bring an explosion of praise that will be a blessing for generations to come.  Together let’s be a generation of legacy-building women! 

From the night we got the news, to those who were sent, who supplied and surrounded me, to the joy of seeing legacy going forward, God has been faithful.  Has carried me and loved me with a love I do not understand.  We can stand on the promise that whether we are in grief, being ministered to, or leaving a legacy for future generations, BUT GOD will always show up.  All glory goes to Him alone. 

In closing this three-part series, I find that the words to The Goodness of God sums up what my journey the last four months has been.  I pray you have been encouraged and possibly challenged. 

I love you Lord
For your mercy never failed me.
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God.

And all my life You have been faithful
And all of my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God.

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve know you as a Father
I’ve known you as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God

Because Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give you everything
Because Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.

“Goodness of God” Lyrics ©Bethel Music