What's Your Legacy?

I've really spent this Summer thinking a lot about this question. I spent six weeks doing the Summer Siesta Bible study online. We studied Kelly Minter's, Ruth. It walked through the loss, love and legacy that encompasses the story of Ruth, Boaz and Naomi.



I've been fond of Ruth before this study. I always looked at her dedication to her Mother-in-Law as admirable. I had memorized Ruth 1:16. You know all the stuff you get in church. I must admit that I unfolded the book of Ruth to find new layers and new loves.

I think this question resonated with me so much because my Honey (grandfather) had been writing a book about his faith journey. It basically was a request of his children and grandchildren that he record his life for us. His legacy -if you will.


The book was printed this Summer. I am so excited to know that my children will have the opportunity to read the details of his life. They are so blessed to know this 91 year old man. He is a man of faith who has seen a lot of life's ups and downs. He has lived a life full of integrity, and that is something I want them to know. I want our children and grandchildren to know their legacy.

In the last week of study, Minter focused on the legacy part of Ruth's story. She told the story of her Grandfather who was a rear admiral in the Navy. She mentioned that he had given his whole life to the Navy. Minter realized after his funeral that if she were going to leave a noble legacy that she would have to give her "whole life to the Lord". This statement made me think. My Honey has spent 91 years doing this. He continues to build that legacy.

Minter lead us in the last week in a study of the legacy of Boaz. His mother was Rahab, a prostitute. Boaz lived a long life single then met and became Ruth's kinsman redeemer. They bore a son Obed who was the father of Jesse who was the father of David. And the line carries all the way to Jesus.

How awe inspiring to think that God could use us no matter our flaws or past. He used Rahab to carry a line of faithfulness to give birth to our REDEEMER...Jesus. God is so creative!

My Honey told a long story of a life of following Christ. I am sure there were times of doubt, discouragement, questions, but he recorded for us a LEGACY. Our family story of faithfulness.

I have thought of the question many times since finishing the study and his book. What is my legacy that I'm leaving? It makes me ask myself, but I also want to ask you....What is your legacy? I hope I can have a faith journey that others want to read.

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HOT-Lanta

I mentioned earlier that we took a family trip to Atlanta. At the very last minute, (night before, I think) we made plans to head to Atlanta with Julie (Philip's sister) and her family. We have three oldest kids the same ages and gender so we travel very well together.

We met them at the GA state line and swapped kids and began the rest of our journey. Arriving in Atlanta and to our hotel, the kids quickly hit the pool and hot tub while parents planned a little more of our trip. Previous vacations with this crew consisted of the beach and lots of sitting. A word to the wise, Atlanta not a town for sitting. We started our Friday with a trip to the Coke Museum, the Aquarium and then finished our night with Braves baseball. We even ran into friends on a Tupelo Baseball team who were being honored at the game that night. It was a fun-filled day.
Wynn was the nightly entertainment. She loved the music played at the game, and spent the evening dancing! The Braves won at the last minute and gave us an exciting ending to the night. We stayed for the fireworks, which Uncle Court assured us we could truly still see from the parking lot. Our Daddies are the best...big city driving, and lots of patience!










Saturday, the Howell's slept in. We met up the the Mealins at Stone Mountain. They had staked out a place to sit in the shade. We toured around the area and enjoyed the hot, hot day. Everyone, but this Mama, made the trek to the top of the mountain. I found a shady spot with my book about Sabbath. I began to take my own personal Sabbath for the next hour while they work hard to reach the top of the mountain. After their return, we began our search for the perfect spot on the grassy lawn for the laser light show. The area was already over half full when we found our spot. The kids played cards, and hung out while we waited. Our family visit here 8 years ago was much different with two young elementary aged girls and an infant and toddler. We must say we enjoyed the evening.





We made the decision to head to Birmingham , to our favorite holiday spot, the Mealin's hotel for our 4th of July celebration. The Howell's got up and drove to church in Alpharetta at Northpoint Community Church. We met friends from home (who kindly saved us seats so we could swing in the back door). We were blessed by a powerful service then exited church to be given a BOMB Pop by the greeter! Happy Fourth of July!

After church,we scooted across the street to treat Wynn to a visit to the American Girl Store. If only, I had taken a picture of Trippe's face as he waited, and waited, and waited outside the store for us. The big girls patiently helped Wynn look through the whole store (2 or 3 times) then helped her pick a great accessory for her dolls. We regrouped after a little shopping and headed for Birmingham.

We arrived at our favorite holiday place....the Mealins Motel. Aunt Julie and Uncle Court had a great dinner planned. We enjoyed seeing Uncle Court's newest hobby, home-brewing beer. We were all amazed at his invention! Wynn even helped to give tours of & the basement setup. After dinner, the kids headed out on the golf cart while the parents enjoyed dessert on the back porch. Suddenly, we heard a loud sound which was a lot like crying. We stopped to listen, since all 7 kids left out on the golf cart. We quickly realized that it wasn't crying, but the lovely sound of all 7 children singing "God bless America" at the TOP of their lungs. How precious was that! Uncle Court provided the fireworks for our celebration. The kids joined us out back and began a game of sardines.

We decided that we enjoy holiday weekends with the Mealins. We have spent Memorial, New Year's and many other holiday weekends in Birmingham. We declared to spend the next major holiday together!