When I’m gone, will you remember me?
Will my thoughts or my finest hour be in your memory?
Will you sing the praises of my life?
Say I was honored to call him my father, what a joy to be his wife.
That’s all that matters to me now. That’s all that matters to me now.
That’s all I hope for now.
Will you follow the footsteps of my path?
Will the impressions that I made be your guide at last?
Will you sing the praises of my life?
Say I was honored to call him my father, what a joy to be his wife.
That’s all that matters to me now. That’s all that matters to me now.
That’s all I hope for now.
From “All That Matters” by Josh Weathers.
I don’t remember becoming a “memories” guy. I’ve always believed the impact we have on others’ lives—the faith footprint—being the most important aspect of our lives. If I can be useful to someone in an important part of their life, I am honored to be part of that time. And I have the chance to impact them for the Lord. I leave a footprint that might help them understand faith—and the One who deserves our faith.
The lyrics above have become very important to me. I got to spend time with all my kids, kids-in-law, and grandkids for a few days over New Year’s. And I found myself wondering. How will my grandkids remember me? Will it be for my love of ketchup? My claim to be the best tickler? For the stories I tell or the pictures I show them of their parents in younger days? The hugs?
Or will it be for faith? Will I leave a legacy that will point them to the King?
Will my kids remember me for my flaws? My failures as a father? Or will they be influenced by my faith in the King and my devotion to him? And will my wife remember the amazingly stupid things I have pulled in our decades together—even the beginning of that relationship when I stood her up and didn’t call her for months? Or will she see a flawed man practicing faith and trying to be as faithful to the King—even in marriage—as he can be?
And how will the people of the churches I have served remember me? Will my “Faith footprint” be major influence on them from my life?
My adventure has caused me to ponder such things even more than I normally do. And I don’t think I am alone in this. Most of us wonder about such things. And as we get older—or face life threatening circumstances—we wonder more.
Please understand—I’m not looking for anyone to answer the question here. I’m just sharing some thoughts.
In the end, I suspect the only healthy response is to entrust this, like everything else, to the King. If my faith is real, my life can’t be about how I am remembered—even by those most important to me. It has to be about how I am seen by the King himself. And what he desires is clear. Today, he has given us life. To live that life faithfully is to maintain our focus on him, and to point others to him whenever we have the chance. Lord willing, the longer we live, the more effective we will be in this task entrusted to us. Because everyone we love—everyone we encounter—will eventually face the same circumstances. May the King let me be part of their turning to him at that time.
In the end, I come back to my old “life slogan”. Our faithfulness boils down to this. Know Jesus, and Be Faithful.
Pat Roy says
That is truly what a lot of people think when they get an illness like you have. I know I’ll remember you (if you go first) for your faithfulness to Christ and your wonderful family. For all of the people who have come to Christ because of your ministry, for a servant of God that feed so many of the hungry, with food as well as the gospel. I know you are a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and I am glad to say you are my nephew. I pray your bone marrow transplant will make you like new! Love,
Aunt Patsy
Andrea says
You have definitely left a faith footprint with us! I find myself using the information I’ve learned from your guidance when answering questions from my children. Because of your guidance, I’m growing in my relationship with the Lord and helping my kids to do the same. Thank you for your footprint!