Grandparents Day is this Sunday, and it has me thinking about the people who have shaped our lives.
When I think about the people who have influenced me most, I do not immediately think about their accomplishments. I think about the way they made me feel, the wisdom they shared, and the ordinary moments that became meaningful because we experienced them together.
After decades of caring for people near the end of life, I have come to appreciate how much of a person’s legacy is found in these seemingly small things.
We often think of legacy as something we leave behind after we die, but I believe we are creating it every day.
It is created in the way we speak to our children, the time we give our grandchildren, the encouragement we offer a friend, and the faith we model when life is difficult.
Your legacy is not only what you leave to people. It is what you leave in them.
Scripture tells us, “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4
I love the picture of one generation passing the faithfulness of God to the next. It reminds me that our stories have value, especially when we share what God has taught us through the years.
If you are a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, a mentor, or simply someone who has lived long enough to learn a few things, I want to encourage you to share your stories.
Tell the younger people in your life about a time God answered a prayer. Tell them about a mistake that taught you something important. Tell them what you wish you had understood when you were their age.
You do not need to have lived an extraordinary life to offer extraordinary wisdom.
This week, consider writing a letter to someone you love. Share a memory, a lesson, or a prayer for their future. It does not need to be long or beautifully written. It simply needs to be yours.
The people who love you may treasure those words more than you realize.
For more encouragement on living with purpose and eternal perspective, explore Hope for Every Season on my website.
