In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I’d share a reading inspired by my own irrepressible mama from my new devotional, Bless Your Heart, set to release on July 15. Mama graduated to Heaven a few years ago but her legacy lives on in all of us who were blessed to love her.
Creating a Legacy
Copyright 2025 Coty, Bless Your Heart: Daily Devotions to Warm your Heart & Feed Your Soul
“You must be very careful not to forget the things you have seen God do for you. Keep reminding yourselves, and tell your children and grandchildren as well.”
DEUTERONOMY 4:9, CEV
My mother Adele was a faithful believer in Jesus ever since her growing-up years in the red clay of post-Depression rural Georgia. A large part of her legacy was spreading Jesus-joy. Mama loved to make people smile, and that’s what she’s remembered most for. She lifted the heavy loads of everyone she encountered and sent their spirits soaring on the wings of laughter.
We smile when we remember her smile, Mama’s unique heart-lifting inheritance for us.
Today’s verse makes us think about our own legacies. What will people remember about us, my friend? Will they recall a woman of effervescent beauty, regardless of her often-ragtag appearance? Or will ranting, raving, and roaring be what they recall most? Will it be a preoccupied, frenetic gal always rushing around checking off a never-ending to-do list? A frustrated soul who missed out on living joyfully because she chose to arm wrestle life instead?
Or will they recall our stalwart belief in the power of prayer, of trusting Papa God’s unconditional love, of our doggedly tenacious faith? Will it be memories of time well spent, special moments cherished, laughter shared? Christian evangelist Billy Graham said, “The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but
in the quality of our lives.”[1] So true. No one will ever remember what your favorite bud vase was, but they’ll always treasure your resonating qualities of love and faith. Once we’re physically gone from this earth, how incredible it is to know that our spiritual endowment will keep paying off. Not just during this generation but for generations to come. We can use that heirloom to influence others toward or repel them from eternity with our Lord in heaven. We can choose to create the legacy of a beautiful, joyful, vibrant woman, alive in every sense of the word.
Or not. The choice is ours.
Prayer: Everlasting Light, make my heritage like a bright light of faith, shining for generations to come. Help me share Jesus-joy with all I encounter to carry on Your legacy of love. Amen.
[1] Billy Graham, Hope for the Troubled Heart (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991).
So, dearest BFF (Blessed Friend Forever), what is the legacy you choose to leave behind for your children and their children? I’d love to hear your response in the comment section below. And I wish you a very blessed Mother’s Day!
