Nancy Hughes: Making a memory

“I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13 (NIV)

“Is LeRoy there?” The question asked by the man on the phone late one evening caught me off guard. “What?” I responded. “I’m sorry. What did you say?” He must have thought I didn’t hear what he asked because he repeated his question more slowly and loudly: “Is . . . Le . . . Roy . . . there?”

My husband had passed away 5 years earlier and, except for the occasional junk mail addressed to him, the references had ceased. After the caller explained that he wanted to buy a coon dog, I took a deep breath and told him that LeRoy had passed away.

He quickly gave his condolences and hung up, but his question remained with me: “Is LeRoy there?” Yes. Yes, he is. He is here. He is here in the mannerisms and quiet strength of his son. He is here in the hazel eyes of his oldest daughter. He is here in the smile of his younger daughter.

He lives on in the giggles of grandchildren who were babies when he passed away and do not have clear memories of him but still beg again and again “Tell me how Papa LeRoy lifted me up in the air!” to “Papa LeRoy loved coon hunting, didn’t he. What was his dog’s name?” to “How come Papa had a mustache?”

He will live on because we choose to share memories of a man who was crazy mad in love with his children and grandchildren and his wife and who considered every day a gift and a blessing.

Those are precious memories, yes. But, more than anything else, his memory will live on, and he will not be forgotten because he shared the Lord he loved with fellow coon hunters, with co-workers, and with his family.

Matthew 26:13 speaks of a woman who, according to Jesus, would never be forgotten. She did something that the disciples thought was ridiculous. This woman, named Mary, brought an alabaster jar of expensive perfume to the home where Jesus and the disciples were and began to pour it on Jesus’ feet and wipe them with her hair.

While the disciples considered it to be an expensive waste, Jesus replied that she would be remembered for this act of love because what she had done would be told over and over throughout the world. She had given everything she had of earthly value to her Lord by showing where her treasure belonged.

Can I just ask you this? What legacy are you leaving behind? How will you be remembered? “He was a great athlete” or “She loved to garden” or “He was a successful businessman” are all nice accomplishments and compliments.

But more than anything, we want to be remembered as a Christ-follower who shared the One we loved with everyone around us. That is the memory that is most important. So, is LeRoy here? Yes. Yes, he is . . . for years to come.

Father, I want to be remembered as someone who loved you more than anything and shared you every day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

· What memories of your life will be left for those who knew you?

· What do you want people to remember about you years from now?

Apply

· Journal a mini version of your conversations for one week. How many times did you mention the Lord and what He has done for you?

· Ask the Lord to give you the boldness to share Him with those you meet every day.

Power

· Matthew 26:13 (NIV) “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

· Philippians 1:3 (NIV) “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

· Romans 1:8 (NIV) “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”

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Nancy Hughes' new book, Get Me Through the Day Lord or at Least the Next 5 Minutes! is available at Amazon.