Legacy of Faith
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV)
Two weeks ago our family suffered the devastating loss of our Mamaw. I am incredibly thankful for all the time I had with her as she would’ve turned 88 next month. But despite the memories I have the loss was so hard; thinking of how much she will miss in our lives and in our children’s lives. My heart was completely broken having to say goodbye to her.
I spent most weekends and summers with my Mamaw and Papaw growing up. They lived near my childhood home. Every weekend my entire family would gather at their home for food and just to spend time together. The house was always loud, full and chaotic full of memories and fun. Most all vacation memories included them as well as spending time at their place on the river in Indiana and trips to Gatlinburg, Kentucky, to get ice cream just because after dinner, and other road trips.
As I grew older the relationship, I had with my grandparents changed but we were closer in a new way. I would visit them often. Continuing to spend the night at their home even after they moved back home to Kentucky. I called them at least weekly just to keep in touch with them and hear their voices. They were always so easy to talk to and just enjoy sitting in their living room. As I watched the two of them in the matching recliners watching some terrible tv show or blasting the news as loud as could be so my Papaw could write his notes about current events in his notebooks he kept; while she would be hand stitching a quilt to give to someone in the family or hemming pants. We would talk about everything and anything and especially about the Bible and church even when it was not a priority in my life.
In July 2010 we suffered the loss of my Papaw. Though we knew his health was declining it was too a devasting loss for our family and especially for my Mamaw. She had spent her life devoted to my Papaw. If you knew him you would know that was a job within itself haha! She was by his side as a Pastor’s wife, a working mom of four, and later as a stay-at-home wife in their retired season of life. She catered to him at home for his every need. They went everywhere together, even if that meant he sat in the car while she tried on clothes and shopped at every Goodwill in town. Second to the Lord, he was her whole world.
Ever since he passed away she was ready for it to be her turn to go home, to Heaven. Mamaw was so lonely after Papaw passed away she would come to visit at my parents’ home. Eventually, she moved in with my parents. I am so thankful for that extra time we got to have with her. Because we homeschool and traveled for five years we were able to take time whenever Jason was in different states visiting and staying with her at her home or at my parents’ home once she moved. The kids spent days breaking up beans from the garden with her, making buckeyes in the kitchen, watching her sew quilts, and fixing stuffed animals for them. We spent time watching Hallmark movies together every year around Christmas. Listening to her tell stories of her past and of our family heritage.
The bond we had and the bond she had with my children was a unique one for a grandmother and great-grandmother. One I know was a rare gift that many people are not able to have. Of all the memories and all the things, I am most grateful for her Legacy of Faith.
Because Papaw and Mamaw’s faith being a priority in their life they passed it down to their children and grandchildren. Psalm 78:4 “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” (ESV)
Her relationship with Jesus was so important to her that she had even prepared a letter to be read at her funeral for all the family to hear. My dad read her words for us all to hear at the funeral. She wanted to make sure her family all came to know Jesus as their own personal Savior. She wanted us all to be reminded to be ready for the day we are taken from this world, or the day Jesus returns.
I am so thankful for her boldness to share her faith with us without apology. Even if it made someone feel uncomfortable, she was going to make sure you knew how important it is to live your life with Jesus as your number one priority.
I feel like so many times when someone passes away we are so quick to think and say things that are meant to bring comfort but not always true. Like when we say they are in a better place. They have gained their wings. She is flying high above now. Hope she rests in peace. Though these sayings may have good intentions they are not true.
The only way to be in the better place, more accurately to be in Heaven with our Savior is to be saved according to the Scriptures. To be saved you must repent of your sins. You must believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he came to Earth died on the cross and rose again 3 days later. Then commit your life to make Him your priority in all aspects of your life. Being saved goes beyond being kind and doing good works. We are saved by grace through faith, not our works. You must have a personal relationship with Jesus and spend your days growing closer to Him through prayer, reading His Word, and continually growing in Him through the process of sanctification. You must commit to sharing His Word with others and grow together in a community of believers.
We can’t simply just know there is a God and be a good person because it’s impossible to be a good person when we are all born into a sinful world therefore, we are all inherently sinners. When we die, we do not become angels as amazing as that may sound. God created angels as separate beings. We will not be resting in peace when we die either. If you are saved and have that relationship with Jesus, we will spend eternity in His presence glorifying him and singing of His praises. Like Heaven is a real place so is Hell. People don’t like when pastors preach about Hellfire and brimstone, but the truth is Hell is a real possibility for so many people that do not know Jesus as their personal savior or that may be confused about what salvation truly means.
I am so thankful for the priceless inheritance I’ve been given through the Legacy of Faith my grandparents and great-grandparents have created for my family. I am thankful I am able to pass that down to my own children. I pray that my Mamaw and Papaw’s Legacy of Faith is spread throughout our family and that we all will continue to seek out the truth about who God is and what true salvation looks like. I look forward to the day that I get to Heaven to be face to face with Jesus and reunited with my grandparents and all my loved ones who too had that personal relationship with Jesus.
Seek God’s guidance in creating your own Legacy of Faith
Exodus 20:5-6 Matt 6:20-21 Proverbs 13:22 Proverbs 22:6 Psalm 112: 1-3 Psalm 127:1 Psalm 145:4 2 Timothy 2:2
~Megan
