The Legacy We Leave
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything You gave me.'” - Erma Bombeck
Hello Dear Friend,
It’s crazy to think that it’s been eight years already since my grandmother passed away. That day the world got a little dimmer. I remember the day that followed was a long one as we all traveled from far and wide to make it to the little hick town up in Michigan that she'd lived in. My father and his siblings were beside themselves as their spouses stood along side them, also grieving, to offer love and support while assisting in the planning of funeral arrangements and dealing with her estate. As we arrived we all checked into rooms at the only motel (er, “lodge”) in the rural town and trying to figure out who, if anyone, had any cell service since there was much to be done.
I can remember all of us gathering for a meal in one of the town's only restaurants. This also served as the one place where we could all gather together and sit down for a while to take a few moments and discuss what was to come. The restaurant staff quickly learning of our situation offered sympathy and reassured us that we could stay as long as we wanted/needed. I still remember the joy and comfort that came from being among family and longtime family friends as we all sat together, catching up and swapping “Mom/Gramma” stories.
Although I didn’t give my gramma a chance to read much of my writing, she loved that I was a writer. Sadly, my last gift to her came after her death as I wrote her eulogy. On that cold and snowy winter day of her funeral I remember showing what I had written to her Pastor so that he'd already be familiar with it in case I couldn't read it myself and I needed him to step in for me. Having already heard a quick rundown of what I planned to share, my cousin warned me, "Definitely don't look me. I'll be crying the entire time."
Written in loving memory for my gramma. Here is what I read at her funeral:
Erma Bombeck once wrote, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything You gave me.’”
I truly believe that my grandmother used everything God gave her. Every moment of everyday she lived her life out loud for God. She was always teaching. The more she learned the more she wanted to share with others. In Galatians 6 verse 4 the Bible says to make careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given. My grandmother did that. She knew her passion and calling, it was people. She loved God with all her heart and her love for her Heavenly Father spread into a great love for everyone around her. She loved and lived her life giving Christian counsel, offering spiritual wisdom to others and sharing the love of her Father with everyone she met.
She loved being a part of others lives, she was always interested in what her kids and grandkids were up to and wanted to know what was going on in her family’s lives. She took great pride in what her children and grandchildren accomplished, dared to dream and worked to achieve as she constantly encouraged us. She found great joy watching and hearing how we developed into who we are today and she loved as we discovered the talents God placed in our lives and she was eager to see where our journey would take us.
She was a prayer warrior. I can remember numerous times in the past whenever there was something I wanted or needed prayer for I would always look to my grandmother knowing that she would begin praying for whatever it was immediately. It was that way with everyone in our family. If ever we were going through a difficult time we knew to have her pray for us. I’m going to miss having that in my life.
She was a great woman of faith. She always lived putting complete trust in her Heavenly Father and no matter what the enemy threw at her that faith never wavered. She never feared of what would come in her tomorrows because she knew without a doubt that God would be faithful to her and supply every need and in Godly fashion He never failed her. Because of her undying faith her life was and is an inspiration and great testimony.
I feel that my grandmother left this earth unaware that she left behind a legacy. I don’t think she realized that her legacy is found in her children and grandchildren. If it weren’t for her unwavering faith, her continuous prayers and her strong Godly influence in our lives we wouldn’t be who we are today. She kept the faith and taught her children to do the same. They in turn passed her teaching on to their children and when we have children we will pass it on to ours.
I believe that my grandmother lived such a life that when she entered into the gates of Heaven this past week she was able to stand before God and say, “I have nothing left. I used everything You gave me.”
And although family and friends have gathered to mourn her passing and as we take time to grieve what the world has lost, we can find joy and celebrate the life she led. We can celebrate her freedom and find peace in knowing that she’s in Heaven dancing, singing, praising and worshiping around her Father’s throne. We can also have comfort knowing that this separation is only temporary and one day we will be reunited in Heaven. Until that day comes, let us all strive to live as my grandmother lived, loving God and people and longing for the other side. So that when the day comes when we stand before God we can also say, “I have no talent left in me, I used everything You gave me.”
With love,
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