Grandma was generous, kind and caring even when the pain of liver cancer was too much for her to bear. Even in her pain she thought of others; providing us with food, gifts, keepsakes, and more. A few weeks ago she was walking around the house, sharing stories and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. A couple weeks later, one evening while visiting her, I held her hand as she cried out in pain, 'Help me', as the morphine wore off and the pain increased. To calm her and bring her peace I prayed with her and all while I prayed and the pain continued, she prayed along calling on Jesus. She called on Jesus.
Forgive me for my humble boasting right now but...this is my legacy. Listen. Cancer did not win, my Grandma won. For now she has finished the race and she ran well my friend. Very well.
This is my holy legacy. A legacy that has been handed down from one generation to another...to call on Jesus. Ponder that for a moment. We have been given something precious, perfect and powerful. Call on Jesus. What a legacy!
Because of their faithfulness to Jesus from my Grandpa & Grandma Herald and my Grandpa & Grandma Carson, my family now serves Jesus Christ...even unto death. My children love Jesus and they are learning what it means to believe in Him as Savior and Lord, and what it means to live for Him.
I see the generational blessings flowing from the former generations to the generations yet to be born and I am amazed at the goodness of God.
My Grandma Carson lived for Christ and held nothing back. So, why should my life be lived any different? To her last breath, she believed. To her last heart beat, she held on to hope and faith. To her last moment on earth, she showed us how to live compassionately and generously.
Why should my life be lived any different? Why should my praise be any different?
This is my holy legacy to hand down from generation to generation. Honestly, I don't believe it's just mine. To the Body of Christ, there lived such a saint named Hazel Carson who now encourages us from the Great Cloud of Witnesses to hold nothing back. It's your holy legacy too Believer!
How will you respond?
Let me close with this. A few weeks ago my wife Elizabeth, 4 kids, and I arrived early at the church to prepare for a worship and choir rehearsal. I turned on the sound system in the sanctuary to play some music on the CD player. After getting it going, I left the sanctuary to get music and plans ready. About 10 minutes later I hear someone playing the drums and noticed our kids weren't in the office area with us. (Our kids' ages range from 1 to 7 years old so they are small and can move quick; disappearing very easily. :0)
As I opened the sanctuary door and entered, I see the view shown in the photo below. My intention in going in to the sanctuary was to escort the children off the platform. But I was amazed and humbled to see my 4 kids prophetically making music to the CD playing over the speakers. They love Jesus and want to serve Him too. This is their legacy too....they ARE the legacy. Because my forefathers and mothers showed us the way to live for Jesus...now our children are serving him.
A holy legacy given to all of us. So, I ask you, why should your life be lived any differently?
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| From Left to Right: Rachel (7) leading on vocals, Justus (3) playing keys, Jaron (5) on drums, Judah (1) on background vocals My kids definitely can feel and understand music very well. They can keep a beat, make rhythms, write songs and they definitely aren't tone deaf. (Sorry, a proud daddy moment.) |
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