Patchwork Legacy

I sat in a rather lovely exam room at Compass Clinic, meeting with their Palliative Care provider, Michael. He engaged me in good conversation, positive, proactive, honest. Being the open book that I am, he heard about my pilgrimage. When I told him I was sewing infant quilts for my unborn grandbabies, he encouraged me and said, “We call that Legacy work.” It feels like it. Leaving something behind to be part of the future joys, just in case I’m not there when my kids are celebrated at their baby showers. I want all my children and grandchildren to know that I thought of them.

On the other hand, as I sort through memorabilia in the tower attic, I find that blankets turn to dusty, faded memories. They don’t seem enough in this season of soul-searching, of weighing how to spend the remaining time. And I am evaluating what my legacy will be.

Psalm 103 tells us:

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.

Here’s what I get from that. We are here temporarily, briefly, unremembered in even a few generations. That feels strange, but it’s all of our condition, unless we appear in the history books. Even then we would only be an interpretation of someone else. At the same time, we all want to “make our mark” and have an impact on this planet and our people. We want to matter, to not just fade away. Something in us longs to be eternal.

The Psalm tells me that:

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

God’s everlasting love is with us if we honor and receive Him. We leave this Legacy to our families, and to our friends…the perfect love of God. Righteous living patterns bless even our grandkids. This is my Legacy, my investment in people. Especially my children.

When cancer first hit, that was where I went. I have, albeit imperfectly, invested so much of my energy and life in bringing up the bestest of kids. By God’s grace, they are learning to walk the path of faith as adults,  not just as my little padawans. It is a worthy journey, fraught with temptation and distraction. So part of my legacy is the prayer I store up for them even now, confident that a God who is beyond all time will answer, even if I am gone.

My greatest hope is that they will be a light to this new generation of amazing human beings. Philippians 2 communicates my desire for them perfectly, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”  I leave behind people that are glowing starlight, illuminating the way for others.

There are many people I’ve known and been privileged to interact with, at work, school, church. These relationships and any impact I’ve had on them is also part of my legacy. God calls us to love one another, and when we do, we reap a joyful reward of kinship and care.

Glorifying God is my greatest goal as a legacy. I am not yet perfected, and I fail, but God’s grace is poured into my life each day. What a beautiful thing, to get to bear the image of God and speak His truth. To love and care for all those in my circle. That is an eternal legacy.

Legacy, according to Merrian-Webster:

1 : a gift by will especially of money or other personal property : bequest She left us a legacy of a million dollars. 2 : something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.

Well, if my folks are waiting for a million bucks, they had better have more then Netflix reruns to occupy them while they wait. But a gift, much more valuable, is truth, including a treasure map to Heaven, Godly wisdom, kindness and love, demonstrating keeping the covenant of obeying God and His word, letting Him lead my life, and accepting the promise of salvation from Jesus.

We all ask ourselves, “What mark did I make on this world? How will my friends and family remember me?” This feeling reminds me that we are made to be everlasting, not temporary beings. One day, for all that believe, we will worship forever in Heaven with God and His people. Our legacy is not only here, but the perfect fulfillment of His purpose for us, glorifying Him also in Heaven.

¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

 

 

So, while I will enjoy creating gifts for my family, even as I sew and stitch, I leave a far better legacy. A quilt of sorts, pieced together with a variety of hopes, a covering that will not fade. My greatest Legacy is sharing these words, this path with them and each of you. Pray always. Love God. Love people. Obey Him. Be faithful. Choose wisely. Seek forgiveness. Rest deeply. It is His compassionate work in us that brings Him glory.

Praise the Lord, my soul.