Legacy – a gift or a bequest, that is handed down, endowed or conveyed from one person to another. It is something descendible one comes into possession of that is transmitted, inherited or received from a predecessor.

Today, as I was thinking about my life, my growing up years, marriage, children etc. – I realized that in the midst of it all, I see a gift that is resident in our family – a legacy – I am so very thankful for the legacy that is mine and my children’s.

I am reminded of parents who worked hard, and who strove to love us well and who exhibited a commitment to God that was strong and challenged me to find my way to making a commitment to Jesus at a young age. Then I look further back and I see a legacy of Grandparents who did the same. My Grandpa and Grandma Hukill and Grandpa and Grandma Helvie, who found Jesus and made the commitment to follow Him and gave us an example to follow. Holidays and visits that always included fun together, times going to church, spending time together with them, and  seeing them live out their faith in everyday life. There was a sense of security that came from knowing that there was a solid foundation of faith in Jesus and I knew I could depend on it to be there and depend on them to pray for us, which I know they did and do regularly.

Past generations on both sides of my family and Joel’s, have had a strong faith and commitment to Jesus. I look and realize that what we have now is not an accident but the result of an unwavering faith in God lived out in the lives of my family – hard work and dedication that has built a foundation and a legacy for us to have and that we have followed and have also endeavored to teach to our children as well. I am not saying that we have had a perfect family – that is far from the truth but the foundation has been strong and with each generation it grows stronger.

The word that strikes me about this legacy is UNWAVERING – Steady- Resolute – this does not imply without struggle, disappointments, or pain – there has been plenty of that but these very things have become the fuel for our faith that has driven us forward in our pursuit of God and all that He has promised. In this world that seems to be a constant shifting of sand and moving away from a belief in God – I find strength and security knowing that what has been built in my life and life of those before me, is eternal and lasting – a life and a family that has been built on the foundation of faith in Jesus will live on and grow stronger. The legacy that has been left to us is not only for us but now we have the privilege of building upon this legacy for our children and our grandchildren.

This story of legacy may not be the same for you – so the question is – what will you do about building a legacy and be the one who starts it for you and your family and those to come. It’s never too late to start and look at affecting the future.

Psalms 78:4-7
We will not hide these truths from our children;
    we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
    about his power and his mighty wonders.
 
For he issued his laws to Jacob;
    he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
    to teach them to their children,
 
so the next generation might know them—
    even the children not yet born—
    and they in turn will teach their own children.
 
So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
    not forgetting his glorious miracles
    and obeying his commands.

Final note – I want to say THANK YOU to my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and aunts and uncles – for living this and giving this legacy to me.

My one prayer is that this legacy continues on – UNWAVERING in its dedication to living a life for Jesus.  “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”!