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The day arrived. All the family gathered in my home for a time of remembrance. On this first anniversary of my darling husband’s death, God had given me the creative idea to list character traits and talents evident in my husband, with a line before each one for family members to check where they recognized themselves. It included things like:

___ musical (he played the guitar)

___ set people at ease

___ person of faith

___ great remembering dates

___ good-looking

___ great sense of humor

ETC.

After my family completed the list, we discussed what we’d checked. My 8-year-old granddaughter marked every single item on the twenty-long list. This expressed how much she loved and identified with her grandpa.

Each of us wrote a message to him on helium-filled balloons using colored permanent markers. We released them in an open area after I said a prayer. There was a release of tears as we watched the balloons go up, up, and out of view. Our time was meaningful to all.

We serve a God of legacy as Matthew 1:1-17 demonstrates:

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham …(v 2-14), Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.”
Matthew 1:1-16 (NKJV)

Everyone leaves some legacy. Faith in God and love for Him and others are the best. Some of us love with thoughtfulness and words. Some pray but never say they do, and others share and may pray aloud. Some cherish deeply but never had words modeled to help articulate their love.

Our husbands’ left deposits in our hearts and lives, and yet our turn remains. As much as we are trustees of shared experiences and conversations with our husbands, when God calls us home, it will be those we loved and with whom we shared our lives who will be our trustees.

May we be intentional to be givers–a meal, a card, a ride, even a smile and word of encouragement.

Recently I heard of a housebound widow who sent cards to those in her church: of congratulation, prayer for health, and sympathy. She never had to look far for a ride to church because she was known by all! What a simple, yet powerful, ministry!

We can all make a difference. God’s love in us desires to be shared with others. It is a lasting gift that operates beyond time and place and is a spiritual legacy.

Dear Lord, please give us creative ways on anniversaries to honor our unique husbands. Please also help us to be intentional about leaving a legacy of loving You and others. In Christ’s name. Amen