Go Beyond

Mom and Dad out on a date.

Two years ago on this date, my beautiful Mom observed her final birthday in a hospital room. At that time we did not know how extensive the cancer was that would end her life on May 30. As I thought about Mom this morning, I was saddened by the thought that I can no longer call her to wish her a Happy Birthday. My siblings and I can no longer send her cards or gifts. However, my sadness was mitigated by joy when I realized that while we can no longer give her gifts, she continues to bless us because of the gifts she gave us through the years. Mom’s death has given me a new perspective on what it means to leave a legacy — not a financial legacy, but the kind of legacy that can bless the next generation in a way that no amount of money ever can. I can’t put a price tag on what it meant to grow up in a home with parents who were passionately in love with one another. Their love made our home a safe and secure place where my siblings and I were encouraged to love God, live life to the fullest, love and care for one another, respect and serve others, and pursue our dreams. These are wonderful and priceless gifts — the gifts that remain and continue to bless us after Mom’s death.

Thinking about Mom’s last birthday in a hospital room has caused me to reflect on where I might spend my last birthday. But even more than that, it has caused me to consider the gifts that will remain after I am in the grave. Each of us will leave behind the gifts that we packaged over a lifetime — gifts that will either bless or hinder our survivors. It’s sobering to consider that one day those who survive me will think about me on my birthday long after I am in the grave. It’s even more sobering to consider whether they will regard the gifts that I leave them as priceless or worthless. That’s why it’s important to take the time to seriously consider what you want for those who survive you to think about when they reflect on your life. And, it’s also important to consider the gifts that you will you leave them. If you want to leave your survivors priceless gifts then you will have to make the payments on those gifts each and every day that you have life. Are you willing to invest in the kinds of gifts that will bless your survivors?

In the 30th Psalm, David complained,“What will you gain if I die, if I sink down into the grave? Can my dust praise you from the grave? Can it tell the world of your faithfulness?”  (30:9). God alone can answer the first question. However, those who remain behind after the death of a loved one can answer the other questions. The fact of the matter is that our dust will speak for us after we die. Remember that you are writing the script for your dust one day at a time. And remember also that you are making the payments on the gifts that will either be a blessing or a curse to your survivors. So, invest today in the kinds of gifts that will keep on giving long after you are gone. Leave a legacy that money can’t buy.