The Legacy That We Leave

By Gayle Bragg Johnson

I was sleeping the other night and somewhere in the twilight between sleep and wakefulness, I heard the words "The legacy we leave". I started thinking about what I will leave behind when I leave this earth. What is MY legacy?

My father was a Christian man. From the time I can remember, he always took us to church. He TOOK us to church.  And yet, the man who took us to church when I was a child was not the same man whose hand I held as he slipped from this world. The old man was wiser, his eyes narrowed and moist with the tears of a life that was full, but he seemed to feel a regret. There was an urgency in his words, calling anyone who would listen to repent and follow Christ.   The regret? Not telling enough people. 

Everyone who was blessed enough to know him was affected by his faith. He was a quiet, humble man. But He was also a leader, a teacher, a disciplinarian and someone who, I believe, God would call a friend. He was easy to get along with, unless you dishonored his God, his wife, his family or his country (in that order). 

Most of my life has been spent in a Christian home. I never remember a time when I didn't believe in God. I knew He existed. No one had to try to convince me that there was a God. I accepted Him when I was 10. But following Him, well that was a different story.  I didn't want to go where He wanted to go. Until I realized that “Even the demons believe that (there is one God)--and shudder.” ‭‭James‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬. Was I no better than a demon?

Jesus himself said to the disciples to "Follow me." (John 1:43, John 21:19, Mat 4:19). He called them to walk where He walked, do what He did, to associate with those He associated with. That's what He calls us to do. Get out of your comfort zone. Get your hands dirty and your feet wet. Follow Him. Wherever He leads you. I still struggle with that. But I am trying now. 

Faith, that is the legacy I got from my father. I cannot thank him enough. Dad made sure I knew he loved me. More importantly, he made sure I knew Jesus loves me. He made sure that I knew when I screwed up, that I was always welcomed back, like the prodigal son. (Luke 15:11-32) The legacy I leave my children and grandchildren? I hope they would say the same.