As long as I’m here the Legacy of Jesus will live on in our family. For most of you know my wife passed this last September, but the legacy she left behind still stands. And its not her legacy, it’s the legacy she lived in the name of Jesus. Loving people like Jesus would. Being the hands and feet Jesus lead. She did not move unless God said move. Her actions were intentional for loving like Jesus. I ran across a story I want to share that explains just that.
She writes: I saw you and you sweet kiddos before I heard you. Initially you appeared to be having a normal morning, treating your kiddos to goodies at the local coffee shop before heading to the store or some other fun mommy activity. You had your hair up cute in a relaxed pony and your yoga pants and running top completed the narrative I was rehearsing in my mind. Then I took a seat at a table 4 feet away from you and began to hear the quiet, painful conversation taking place. I tried not to listen, I really did but the Lord was allowing me to be a witness to the conversation because He knew you needed something.
Kindness, Compassion, Humanity at the most primal sense. You are not alone.
I could have judged you, I almost did. The words you spoke to your small children hurt my heart. In the instant that my mind began to judge the Lord whispered, “she’s hurting too.” Listen…
You son was sitting in his chair slumped over the table, resting his head in his arms. Some moments he was looking at you, most times he had his head down. He appeared to be older. Your daughter seemed more engaged in the conversation, I wonder if she is your attentive one and also, possibly ready for a challenging question or two. I couldn’t hear their words, only yours but I could hear the sorrow, the confusion, and possibly some anger in their tiny wee tones.
Your words… ”So you didn’t have any fun with me this week?”, “You weren’t laughing last night playing with S?”, “Well then suppose I let you live with your dad and see how much fun you have with Him.”
It was the last statement you made that made my heartbreak…
“Do you think that I didn’t want us to be a family anymore?”
Really, you all were saying the same thing… your son was sad and resigned, your daughter was trying to put on a brave face and you… You were just trying make the best out of a situation you never imagined you would be in.
I can only imagine the many things you might have been internalizing, things you were thinking, maybe even cursing your ex – their father in your mind. I do know that I prayed for you, I asked the Lord to show me a response… it felt insane but I had to be a moment of comfort and encouragement to you.
You finally gave in and began to pack up. It was then that I got out of my seat and came around to you and tapped you on the shoulder. I said, “May I give you a hug? I couldn’t help but overhear some of your conversation and I am so sorry for what your little family is going through.” I said other things, things that were specific to her. She hugged back and whispered thank you.
I cannot help but continue to pray for you, your children and their dad.
As I reflected for the rest of that day and since then, one mother to another shared in her struggle, desired to enter in only long enough for simple encouragement, to possibly help her long enough to get from this painful moment to the next and pray that others continue to do the same.
I have no way of knowing if I made a difference but I wonder what a difference every single person could make if we would lay down our agenda down, set aside our offenses and personal judgements in order to see people – where they are in their daily lives, amid the mess, the sorrow, addiction, the whatever and lavishly extend love, kindness and compassion…
Doing these things listed above is how we create Legacies that serve Jesus for Gods glory, the small acts of kindness and meeting people where they are in their troubles. We can maybe brighten some ones day by imitating Christ with how he loves us. We love because He loved us first. Go out a be the light God created you to be in this dark world.
She writes: I saw you and you sweet kiddos before I heard you. Initially you appeared to be having a normal morning, treating your kiddos to goodies at the local coffee shop before heading to the store or some other fun mommy activity. You had your hair up cute in a relaxed pony and your yoga pants and running top completed the narrative I was rehearsing in my mind. Then I took a seat at a table 4 feet away from you and began to hear the quiet, painful conversation taking place. I tried not to listen, I really did but the Lord was allowing me to be a witness to the conversation because He knew you needed something.
Kindness, Compassion, Humanity at the most primal sense. You are not alone.
I could have judged you, I almost did. The words you spoke to your small children hurt my heart. In the instant that my mind began to judge the Lord whispered, “she’s hurting too.” Listen…
You son was sitting in his chair slumped over the table, resting his head in his arms. Some moments he was looking at you, most times he had his head down. He appeared to be older. Your daughter seemed more engaged in the conversation, I wonder if she is your attentive one and also, possibly ready for a challenging question or two. I couldn’t hear their words, only yours but I could hear the sorrow, the confusion, and possibly some anger in their tiny wee tones.
Your words… ”So you didn’t have any fun with me this week?”, “You weren’t laughing last night playing with S?”, “Well then suppose I let you live with your dad and see how much fun you have with Him.”
It was the last statement you made that made my heartbreak…
“Do you think that I didn’t want us to be a family anymore?”
Really, you all were saying the same thing… your son was sad and resigned, your daughter was trying to put on a brave face and you… You were just trying make the best out of a situation you never imagined you would be in.
I can only imagine the many things you might have been internalizing, things you were thinking, maybe even cursing your ex – their father in your mind. I do know that I prayed for you, I asked the Lord to show me a response… it felt insane but I had to be a moment of comfort and encouragement to you.
You finally gave in and began to pack up. It was then that I got out of my seat and came around to you and tapped you on the shoulder. I said, “May I give you a hug? I couldn’t help but overhear some of your conversation and I am so sorry for what your little family is going through.” I said other things, things that were specific to her. She hugged back and whispered thank you.
I cannot help but continue to pray for you, your children and their dad.
As I reflected for the rest of that day and since then, one mother to another shared in her struggle, desired to enter in only long enough for simple encouragement, to possibly help her long enough to get from this painful moment to the next and pray that others continue to do the same.
I have no way of knowing if I made a difference but I wonder what a difference every single person could make if we would lay down our agenda down, set aside our offenses and personal judgements in order to see people – where they are in their daily lives, amid the mess, the sorrow, addiction, the whatever and lavishly extend love, kindness and compassion…
Doing these things listed above is how we create Legacies that serve Jesus for Gods glory, the small acts of kindness and meeting people where they are in their troubles. We can maybe brighten some ones day by imitating Christ with how he loves us. We love because He loved us first. Go out a be the light God created you to be in this dark world.