Leaving A Legacy

Leaving a Legacy
by Brodie Swisher

I got a message this past week that longtime family friend, Billy Janovich, had been tragically killed when a tree fell on him while he was working at a men’s retreat. The news was an obvious shock to his family and friends. But also a reminder of how quickly a life can pass us by. Even though Billy is now hangin’ out with Jesus in heaven, the pain of those left behind seems relentless. My heart breaks for his wife and three little kids. In the days following Billy’s death, I came across a letter written to him from a mutual friend. The words of this letter spoke to me in a big way regarding the legacy we leave behind to our family and friends.

A portion of the letter read, “Billy, I’ll never forget how much you loved Jesus, and how you always kept your eyes on him…You were a great man, father, and husband, but more than anything, you were a great disciple of Jesus…Thanks for inspiring me and planting Jesus into my life.”

These words of one man’s legacy struck deep within me and made me question, “What will people say about me when I’m gone?” How will my wife and kids remember me? Will I leave a legacy of being a great husband and father? Will I be remembered as a godly man that always kept my eyes on Jesus?

More than wealth and material things, I want to leave a legacy of godliness to my family and friends when I’m gone.

“…a righteous man will be remembered forever.” Psalm 112:6

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