Passing on a Legacy

“To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord……When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” II Timothy 1:2 &5

This is an amazing passage to me! When I think of people of influence, I tend to think of good, godly men who command their families and lead in their churches. There have been many preachers, missionaries and evangelists who have inspired me to desire a closer walk with the LORD and to just live for God. Seldom do I credit the spiritual strength that I see in a good man of God, to his mother, much less his grandmother.

I found this passage encouraging and challenging at the same time. Here is young preacher boy Timothy being commended by the great Apostle Paul for his strong, faithful, un-faked faith in God. His good testimony of faith was being recognized and encouraged, along with the people who had passed this great legacy on to him!

Last August, I became a grandmother for the very first time! Those that know me realize how completely over the moon I have been since our son Sean and daughter-in-law Lauren brought little Landon Justus into our lives.

Then in February, our daughter Cherith and son-in-law Josh blessed us with our first granddaughter, Alayna Cherilyn. My husband and I have felt like we’ve received a new lease on life!

I really don’t know how other grandmothers feel, but I take being a grandmother quite seriously. In many ways, it’s an extension of motherhood and parenting. Life just seems sweeter with little ones in it. Truly, it does! I’ve asked myself many questions about what kind of grandma I really want to be. I will not indulge these precious little people in areas that go against what their parents want for them. I want to teach them the same things I tried to instill in my own children. This world has not gotten better since we raised our own children. If anything, it has deteriorated dramatically and it is going to take much more vigilance in protecting their eyes, minds and hearts than ever before. I have determined to be a grandmother who leaves a spiritual legacy behind for my grandchildren to remember. I want my “unfeigned” faith to be seen and understood by my grandchildren so that when they grow up, my testimony will be remembered, recalled and reflected, even in their lives.

After all….is there really anything more important for a Christian Grandmother to leave behind?

Oh, that my children and grandchildren could one day look back on my life and Oh, that my children and grandchildren could one day look back on my life and call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that was in me. I want to be remembered more for my love and zeal for Christ than for my cookie jar always filled with goodies. I want to be remembered more for how I taught them of a Loving Lord and sang songs of praise to His Holy Name with them, rather than for all the trips to a zoo, a park or a picnic. I want them to remember hearing me pray for them…..and for others.

The legacy my heart wants to leave to these precious little people in my life is one of dedication to Christ! I cannot even imagine my grandchildren not being in Heaven with us one day! Perish the thought!! I have already told my daughter and daughter-in-law that I will do everything I can to help them train those little ones entrusted to their care, in the ways of the Lord. My good husband and I will do our part while babysitting our grandkids, to protect them from the evil inputs from the world around us. Keeping a spiritually clean environment around children is of utmost importance and takes great effort on the part of parents and grandparents.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8

If the influences on the young preacher boy Timothy could be remembered in the Word of God as they are, with not a mention of his earthly father, then why can not other mothers and grandmothers with a holy heart and chaste life, leave that kind of influence behind for their grandchildren as well? Never underestimate the influence of a Godly mother or grandmother! We are all in the process of leaving something lasting behind. What will it be for your children and grandchildren?

May the footprints that we leave behind us truly reflect the love of Christ, love for His Word and love for His church. May our unfeigned faith also be seen and commended in Landon and Alayna one day…