Friday, May 27, 2016

Leaving a Legacy

The ‘Random House Webster’s College Dictionary defines Legacy as:
  1. (in a will) a gift of property, esp. personal property, as money; bequest.
  2. anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor
In this post I am going to look at the 2nd part of this definition.  I think this relates to how you lived your life, what was important to you.  I believe the legacy my mom and dad left was:  always work hard and love your spouse no matter what.  Family is important.  Remember everyone has feelings.

Have you ever thought about what kind of legacy you will leave?  So many people worry about leaving money or material things, such as land, antiques, vehicles, etc.  But is that really important?  Sure if you are able to do that, it is wonderful, however there are so many things that are more important.

I guess what really made me think about it was a couple of funerals I attended.  One was a year or so ago and there were only a handful of people there and 2 flower arrangements.  I have to say it broke my heart, but I thought about the person and I fully understood the situation.  She was a handful and did not really have a pleasant disposition.  I personally had no problems with her but others not so much.

Recently I attended my 2nd cousin's funeral.  I personally had only seen her a handful of times but oh my I knew what kind of person she was by the legacy she left.  There were over 300 at the visitation and standing room only at the service.  (The chapel seated approx 300 people.) The flowers, oh, they were so beautiful!  You could hear sniffles throughout the room, Karla was only 48 years old and had lost her battle with cancer, but you could feel the love, and the love she had for her Lord.  She was interested in starting a Bible Study at her home just a week or two before she passed on.  Yes, family especially her close family will miss her deeply, but without a doubt they will see her again, if they are right with the Lord. She loved life, but more importantly she loved the Lord!  Even though I had not seen Karla since we were kids, I feel like I knew her.  What a legacy she has left...And that my friends is the kind of legacy I hope to leave!

How about you, what kind of Legacy do you want to leave?  Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

'But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'   Matthew 6:20-21

until next time...nel



Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Listening...

I am a firm believer 'Everything Happens For A Reason.' Sometimes if we step back and look at the situation we realize what it is, other times not so much.  I know without a doubt, God watches over everything I do, He carries me so many times when I am dragging.
This week, plans were totally thrown out the window.  We had planned to leave for Arkansas today.  Last Wednesday on the way home from church our car started acting up, kinda coughing, did not want to go up a hill, wasn't sure if we were going to make it home.  I quickly put the phone away and started talking to my Lord.  'Please let us make it home,' would you believe it never acted up again.  I told Stan we needed to get it to the mechanic and let him check it out.
So the next morning we took it over and left it, even though he said he probably couldn't get to it until today.  It never acted up or even hesitated Thursday morning, but of course I had already had a conversation with the Lord, told Him I needed His help once again, and that I would give him all the honor and praise for it. Once again he answered prayer.  We were able to pick up our car today, the fuel filter was stopped up.  The mechanic said he had used a 25 p.s.i. air hose and blew into the filter, no air would come through it.  He said the car should not of been running at all, that the filter was completely stopped up.  I wish I would of been with them, I would of let him know it was answered prayer, that the Man upstairs was taking care of it for me.  I am so glad that it messed up when it did and we were not on the road traveling. And it was only a $35 fix.  Arkansas bound this Friday. Thank you Jesus!

You know sometimes He does things to get our attention, I am one of those He has to hit up side of the head.  Usually before we go to Arkansas, I am running around trying to get things done, going crazy, not relaxing until I am ready.  This weekend has been so peaceful without the car, and we have accomplished so much in the yard.  Projects that we had been wanting to do but never seemed to have time.  We are not finished but we are well on our way.  Even got my little red wagon seeded with flowers, now praying they will come up!  
Life is so good and sometimes we need to listen to our Heavenly Father and just slow down and enjoy it! 

Thank you Jesus!  Do you know Him?

'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.'    Revelation 3:20

until next time...nel