Legacy of Love
by Patsy Kuipers
Today’s Treasure
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends . . . So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8a; 13
Death has visited my family often in October. Three of my four grandparents, a beloved aunt, a cherished uncle – all six passed away during the tenth month of different years.
October 2017 found us bereaved once again, as son-in-law Justin’s grandfather completed his earthly sojourn. His memorial service was a celebration of a life well-lived, a race faithfully run, a servant safely Home. As Justin and his brother and cousin shared memories of their grandfather, it was clear he made a lasting, positive impact on their lives.
Though their memories won’t be as distinct or numerous, “Papa” touched the lives of the next generation as well. Great-grandson, Joshua, five at the time, comforted himself and others with truth: “He’s not sick anymore. He’s in heaven!” “In heaven, guess what? You can’t die again! Papa is there waiting for us!” And, possibly my favorite, “Papa doesn’t have to pray anymore. He can just walk right up and talk to Jesus!”
Oh the beauty and simplicity of child-like faith, the kind of faith Jesus commended, the kind we’re told to pass on to our offspring. It’s apparent Papa followed that mandate, modeling a godly walk for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I think of my own dear Papa, called Home in October of 1965, when I was six. A life-long farmer, he was short and wiry, yet mighty in his faith. According to Mom, he attended the tiny country church every time the doors were open. My memories of him are few, but precious – sitting on his lap eating apple slices, walking to the small general store, stopping at the post office, waving to the train conductor, and counting the cars. I still feel his love over five decades later.
Likewise, during my husband’s graveside service, one of the pastors told daughters Mary and Jessie their lives would be forever blessed by having a godly father. Even though he was with us for a relatively short time, we continue to experience the impact of Ray’s unconditional love and steadfast faith some 23 years hence.
Other loved ones people my heritage of faith: A great-aunt, poor by worldly standards, but exceedingly wealthy in grace and kindness. Aunts who didn’t think a visit was complete until they’d fed me, physically and spiritually. Grandmothers with well-worn Bibles and “Jesus Loves Me” on their lips. All of them have long since joined the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews, but their influence lives on.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
I’ve pondered these relationships, marveling how love can reach beyond death, undimmed by the passage of time. Though I cherish tangible reminders of departed loved ones, the lasting connections aren’t based on material gifts. They’re woven together from shared experiences undergirded by loving acceptance and encouragement. Love grounded in faith and hope is the greatest legacy any of us can bestow, far more valuable than any earthly treasures we might bequeath. It’s the legacy I most want to leave.
O Lord, your word has much to say about love. We love because You first loved us, unconditionally and sacrificially. May we live in such a way that our love and faith are evident, hallmarks of our relationship with You. And may we love others so well that the effects linger long after You’ve called us Home, connecting one generation to another.
Patsy Kuipers often refers to herself as “Gardening Grammie”, a title that encompasses two of her favorite pastimes. Widowed at age 38, she was blessed to be gainfully employed all the years she spent raising two daughters on her own. When her job was eliminated several years ago, she returned to school to study horticulture, a passion born of caring for the garden her husband left as part of his legacy. Patsy is Grammie to three small but enthusiastic garden helpers. She enjoys teaching them about plants and the One who created them. Patsy started her blog, Back 2 the Garden (patsykuipers.com), to tell others of God’s great love and faithfulness. She is a member of Grace Covenant Church in Dallas, GA where she serves on the Women’s Ministry Committee and leads women’s Bible studies.
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