I had the privilege yesterday of attending the funeral of a 103 year old saint.  He spent his life in devotion to and service of Christ – preaching the word, living the gospel and praying fervently for his family, his friends, his church and his community.  At the service were four generations of his family – all deeply impacted by his amazing life.  It was a gift to me  just to hear of how their faith had been shaped by his faith.  The legacy of his life was so evident – it was physically present in the lives of those in that room – people ranging in age from their 90s to 11 who were very directly and personally blessed by this man of God.    I am grateful for the life of David Milligan – and for his legacy of faith that lives on…

Another man of God has left us this week as well.  Cecil Sherman.  He also leaves a powerful, visible legacy.  Both in the lives of those who knew him well and were touched by his life on a deeply personal level – and in this movement of CBF.  All of us who fellowship, minister and seek to engage our world through CBF – we are Cecil’s legacy.  His life and work helped to make it possible for us to be Fellowship Baptists – and to keep trying to figure out all that means as we move forward together.  I am so grateful. 

Last Friday would have been my grandmother’s 114th birthday.  She has been gone now for 17 years.  In her 97 years of life – she raised 7 children and countless foster children – she saw 4 sons go to war in WWII – and all returned home. She outlived two husbands and even some of her children.  She was fiercely independent – and lived on her own until her death.   She was never a warm and cuddly kind of grandmother – but she was a woman who loved through doing.  She loved Jesus.   She loved her church.  She persevered.  She survived.  I see that I have some of that same stubborn tenacity and independence in me…(and hope that I can always seek to channel it for the good! )  She left a legacy as well.  One of loyalty, strength and perseverance.  She lived until she died.  And I am grateful for her life.

In the midst of  pondering the lives of these saints – I celebrated my own birthday on Sunday.  Birthdays always foster reflection it seems – and as I ponder my life this year – I am challenged by David Milligan’s life to consider- what kind of intentional spiritual nurture am I giving to  the generations that follow me?  what kind of legacy will I leave them?  I am challenged by Cecil Sherman to ask what is important enough for me to take a stand for? to risk for? to build for the future?   And I am challeneged by my grandmother, Annie Aderholdt, to keep pressing on even when things are difficult. To keep giving, even when I think I have nothing left to give.  To be loyal to God and to family- always, even when it is hard.  And to live until I die. 

Legacies are gifts left behind – the kind that really do keep on giving.  And today I am grateful for those who have gone before…and for their gifts that continue to shape my life…And I am challenged to choose carefully and give generously to those who will come after me…