Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The farm is getting prepped for the party my kids are hosting tomorrow in honor of my 60th birthday, and as I met with the Master this morning at daybreak I was moved with emotion as I considered my legacy. I’m on the back side of this wonderful life and it will be sooner rather than later that I’ll be standing before God. I won’t be bearing the burden of those wrong things I’ve done in my life because of the Price He paid for you and for me. But I WILL be accountable for all of those things that I had the opportunity to do In His Name but didn’t. I have a great Purpose in this life and a Legacy to leave behind that has Eternal significance, so I take great care to do my part to leave behind a Good One. Isn’t that the way you see your life too?

Sometimes when I ask people “what do you want to be remembered for?” the response I get surprises me. Some people avoid the question all together because they don’t want to consider leaving this life behind at all…but we all do eventually, and not thinking about it doesn’t change the outcome. Some people want to be remembered for worldly things like playing golf or being a sports fan. Unfortunately some people tie their significance to monetary things and they want to be remembered in dollars and cents. Some people want to be remembered as being a good mom or a good dad, and if they live long enough; a good grandma or a good grandpa. Some people make plans to be buried with something they love as if they can take it with them wherever they go. But luggage can’t be checked-in for the journey no matter where we end up. We’ll be traveling “light” when we pass from this life to the other Life, but it’s our Legacy that determines our direction and if we’re “empty handed” or not. The only legacy that matters at all is the Legacy that has Life…the Legacy that has Eternal significance…the Legacy that we’re remembered for and talked about for generations to come.

I see a BIG part of my Legacy lived out in my children, and I’m overwhelmed when I look at that part. My children weren’t my cute little possessions and they aren’t just something to brag about…although there’s a whole lot to be bragged about by this proud Mama. My children were my first “mission field” and they are living, breathing testimonies to the Legacy of my Faith that has Eternal Significance. God breathed life into them, and I breathed Truth as I set out to make an Eternal difference…and it shows. There will be plenty of hilarious stories to tell for years and years after I’m gone, because the legacy of humor has been passed along too. But what they’ll share with their children and their children’s children is the Legacy of my Faith. It’s fun to look at the next generation and to consider who they look like and what they’ll grow up to be or what kind of personality they’ll have. But the thing I’ll be looking out for the most is what kind of Heart they have, and if the Legacy of my Faith can be seen in them. That’s the only Legacy that really matters at all…the one with Eternal Significance.

I’m excited to celebrate my 60th birthday with my precious family and some friends, and it’s going to be lots of FUN. But I’m most excited to see the Legacy of my Faith in living color through my family and friends. My children are strong and kind and compassionate,(and funny) and they love their Heavenly Father more than they me…the way it should be for my Legacy to live on. My friends won’t be showing up for the food and drinks tomorrow, they’ll be showing up because my Life has touched their lives and the Legacy lives on…Eternally. There wouldn’t be a tombstone big enough to include stories about my life or humorous things that others might want to share; but it won’t take up much space at all make mention of my greatest Legacy…the Legacy of my Faith that will last for generations to come. Oh, how I long to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” when I go Home. Until then, I’ll work on my Legacy every single day to be sure it has Life.

How about you?