A Lasting Legacy
by Kelly Williams
Where did this past year go? I cannot believe this is my last blog post about A Lasting Legacy. When I set this theme last year at the National WMA meeting in Branson, my thoughts were consumed with ways to improve my legacy for those, particularly my four grandchildren, who are coming behind me.
I had a wonderful conversation with my daughter (the mother of my four grandchildren) the other day. She told me that Grayson, our 8-year old grandson, wants to come and stay with us for a few days because he wants to sit with Grammie and we both read our Bibles each morning.
The amazing thing about that is I have struggled for many years to consistently and faithfully read my Bible. I always thought I was too busy. But about 5 years ago, Ken, my husband, bought me a Rainbow Bible for Christmas and it has a daily schedule in the back of it. I committed them to strive to be faithful to read according to that schedule. I have been able to do so for the last five years. I love the schedule because I read the entire Bible by the end of September, then read the New Testament again before the end of the year.
That is one area of my legacy that I have worked on with God’s help. I asked God to help me make time each day for my quiet time. Now every morning at 5:00 am God gives me a nudge to get up so that I can spend time with Him in His Word and prayer.
What area do you struggle with? Your thoughts? Your actions? Your inaction? An area I am working on is to be more patient. My brain runs a million miles per minute and when I ask a question (particularly of my husband) I am working to wait patiently for his answer. You see, he thinks in his mind before he speaks! I don’t know if I have ever done that! So of course, I get myself into much trouble that way. So patience is one area I will forever be working on.
Another area I am struggling in is that of speaking to people about Jesus. I can readily speak of God and His amazing grace to my family and friends, but what about strangers? Do you tell the checkout person at Walmart what God is doing in your life? Or do you use self-check so you don’t have to speak to anyone? What about the nail salon people? The lady who is sitting beside you as you have your nails done? This coming year, Judy Wallace has determined our new theme to be Go and Tell. Certainly this is about our missions’ work, but also perhaps it is to go next door and tell your neighbor about Christ and His saving grace.
Psalms 71:18 has been our theme verse this year and it states: “Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.” That is my prayer, that I will share my Savior, Jesus, with all who I come in contact with daily.
