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 Unveiling of Legacy
by Ron Rose
A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren ... (Proverbs 13:22 MSG).Preparation Thomas Cahill writes about history, legacy really. In The Gift of the Jews, Cahill explores the impact of "the God of Abraham." This Creator-God gives us a beginning and an end; he defines justice and mercy, refines our conscience. And, as Cahill states, "Most of our best words — new, adventure, surprise, unique, individual, person, vocation, time, history, future, freedom, progress, spirit: faith, hope, justice — are the gifts of the Jews," Abraham's legacy to us. Stay with me as we sneak a peek into our legacy — our view of life and living. For better or worse, my dad shaped my view of the world. Part of his personal story was clouded by years of alcohol addiction, but his perspective about life has become clearer and more meaningful as the years have gone by. From my dad, I learned to never throw away what could be fixed, to refrain from freeze-framing people (everyone can and will change), and to think outside the box (look for unexpected options). Over the years I have become his legacy, unwrapping the best and forgetting the worst. Legacy is the wisdom, convictions, experiences, and values that have been handed down to us from the generations before us. It shapes our worldview, providing wisdom and direction for the next generation. Legacy is powerful. It is a gift we are compelled to open, but after opening it, we are faced with challenges and choices. Will we accept the gift and find a place to display it and share it, toss it, or rebel against it? What have you done with the legacy you were given? How have your parents, your early years, your grandparents shaped your perspective on life?
Then the bonus question: How much of your faith is yours and how much of it is what you inherited from others?
A few days ago I was blessed by a "holy moment." Mearl's body was at the funeral home; the memorial service was set for the next day, so most of the details related to death had been dealt with. Now it was time to talk. We gathered in the family room to tell stories, share memories, and unwrap the legacy of Mearl Jacobs. She had lived a life filled with stories, from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to Southern California to Abilene, Texas. Most people didn't know that she worked for thirty years at Rockwell International and helped prepare the budget for the first space shuttle; or that even at 82 years of age, she loved the highest of the high-heeled shoes; or that although she really didn't care much for baseball, she loved listening to Vin Scully call the LA Dodger's games because her son, John, loved baseball. Before long, the conversation turned from stories about Mearl, to stories of how she changed and shaped the lives in the room. Her daughter, Carol, said, "Just a few hours before Mom died she said she wanted to go home. 'I asked her if she meant back to her apartment?' She said, 'NO!' I asked, 'Home to be with Jesus?' 'YES!'" That did it. The legacy began to emerge. A tapestry of love and grace and service was realized that night. Mearl had lived a life that rubbed off on the young and old alike. When she rubbed off on you, you left a different person, a better person. She was gifted that way. She knew how to demonstrate the things that really mattered. She stood up for values that she held dear and she always seemed to know how to grace people, to accept them "as is." Her grandkids talked of her perpetual, unconditional acceptance of them, no matter what.
The fingerprints of God were all over that room. It was a legacy celebration, and I was honored to feel the holiness of it. Mearl had seen the best in these kids before they had seen it in themselves and now they understood. The gift was unwrapped; the legacy unveiled. The next day, it was clear that Mearl was still around. We buried the body, but she lives in all those present and beyond. She is still hugging and giving and loving and smiling and if you are really in need of it, she is still giving "that look."
It's her legacy.
You have received a legacy and you are building a legacy. They are both bigger than you. Make the most of both. What is it that you want said about you when you're gone? What rubbings are you leaving on the people in your family and in your world? Like those before you, you are shaping the worldview of those who come after you. So get on with it. Regardless of what others do or have done, YOU have the choice! Visit the i2eye page and take the challenge. Listen to the spots and see what God does with 21 days: http://www.faithteam.org/talks.htm
Title: "Unveiling of Legacy" Author: Ron Rose Publication Date: February 06, 2009 |
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