I sometimes think about how I will be remembered after I’m gone from this life.  What will be left of me for my children (and maybe even grandchildren) to cling to.  Will they think about all the cute cakes I once made?  Will they think about how I used to sing?  Will they remember how I loved to laugh?  Will they remember the things I tried to teach them?

I hope they have memories of all these things, but that’s not the legacy I want to leave them.

The Bible gives us a beautiful example of the kind of legacy I want to leave.  Moses was truly a man of God.  My Bible study notes this week say this about him:

“Moses died in faith, expectantly.  He died as he had lived, with his eyes on God and with his heart’s desire for the people to love and obey God.”

When I first read that statement, I had to stop and let it sink in.

First, Moses died in excited anticipation of being with God.  He did not die in fear or sorrow.  He didn’t look back at his life on earth in regret.  Though he wasn’t allowed to enter the promised land of Canaan because of his own sin, he knew something greater awaited him, and he eagerly anticipated it.  He turned his eyes toward God and focused his gaze on Him as his spirit left this earth.

Second, the lasting desire of his heart was for his people, the Israelites, to know God and to love Him.  He didn’t desire wealth and prosperity.  He didn’t desire beauty and intelligence.  He didn’t even desire a life of happiness.  No, he wanted nothing more than for them to know and love God.

Can you imagine a better legacy?

I can’t.

When my family and friends reminisce about me, I want them to say, “She loved Jesus, and it showed in everything she did.”  And I want my children to know that my biggest desire for them was they they develop their own love affair with Jesus.  I want them to know the blessing of a life spent with Christ.

There is value in wishing success, prosperity, love, and acceptance for our kids’ lives, but those things are only valuable in this life.  What truly matters is that we instill in them the value of life with Jesus.

That is the legacy I desire to leave behind.

God, grant me the strength, courage, and wisdom to impart your truths on my family and friends.  Let your grace fall on me when I fail, and help me to remain steadfast in this journey.  Amen.