Rod-West
  • Just Thinking
  • About
    • Beliefs
  • Biblical Counseling
    • Coaching & Pastoral Care
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Give
  • Media
    • Good Reads
    • Israel
    • Sermons
  • CCS Store

Legacies

2/19/2013

7 Comments

 
Picture
On February 11, 2013 my mother-in-law passed away after suffering from advanced dementia over the last three years. During this time my family and I sought to do the very best we could by her, making sure she had the best care possible, and keeping her as comfortable as possible during the end of her life. We watched with sorrow as her mind and body slowly deteriorated over the long months, but occasionally we would get a glimpse of the Ma we knew and loved for so many years. Dementia is a terrible and debilitating disease, not only for the sufferer, but also for family members who are left to care for the many needs of their loved ones. Those who suffer with this illness have, in one sense, already passed away yet their bodies continue to exist as only a shell housing a person that is sometimes hard to recognize.

Over these past many months my wife and I were able to discuss the last wishes of my mother-in-law and to prepare for her approaching death. We would often reminisce about happier times in regards to things Ma said and did during her lifetime. She was such a grand Christian lady who often seemed to bring out the best in people. Many of the stories we shared with each other and with our children often ended in laughter about something she said or did without having the faintest idea about the comedy in her words and actions. She was simply a genuine and loving person who could at times be quite forthright and brutally honest with the world around her. As I prepared my remarks for her funeral these were just some of the many things that ran through my mind.

The greatest things I hold onto are not so much the memories of holidays and visits but the lessons she imparted to my wife, our children, the Sunday school class she taught, her church, the children she worked with and lastly to me. She demonstrated firsthand the love of Christ to those around her in a multitude of ways. She did this not only through the words she spoke but also in the way she lived her life boldly for Christ. In many ways she became a mother to me much more so than even my birth mother. I knew she loved me unconditionally just as she did her own children. In good times and in bad she constantly prayed for me and would often provide sound theological insight from a lifetime of walking with Christ.

By now you may be asking the question, “Why is he sharing these things about a woman that many of his readers didn't know?” The answer is quite simple. One, I share these things in order to honor a woman I dearly loved. Two, I share these things because her life and death has once again caused me to consider the legacies we leave when we pass from this world.

Have you ever considered how you’ll be remembered when you die or if you’ll even be remembered at all? Maybe we should ask this question instead, “What are those things that mark a life as being significant?” For some, I’m sure the answers will be quite base in nature in regards to the material world around them. For others, they may take a more philosophical slant in answering this and other questions concerning life and death. For me, one of the main lessons I learned from Ma was that apart from Christ I’m nothing. My identity is in Christ, and if anything good comes from my life it is because of Christ living within me, (Philippians 1:6).

We can invest in many things that may bring great returns in this world, but the greatest investment one can make which brings an eternal return is found only in a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. The expectation is this:  because God has invested in us through the shed blood of Christ we also are to invest in others by sharing the Gospel in the words we speak and in the manner in which we live.

I believe my mother-in-law invested herself in me just as other Christians also invested their time and energies in many of you. Let it not be said that their efforts and the life lessons they shared were in vain. Let me encourage you to write a card, letter, or email to someone today that has invested a part of their life in you while you still have the opportunity to do so. You never know when the day will come that you no longer have an opportunity to say, “Thank you” or “I love you.”

Blessings in the name of Christ,
Rod


7 Comments
BILL DODGE
2/19/2013 03:08:23 am

I often think of Coach Hogan (HS Football Coach and in my eyes my father) I had to prove myself and was never treated special but I know he loved me, better get home soon and tell him again how much he means to me

Do you always write tear jerkers, Thanks Pastor Rod, Bill

Reply
Rod West
2/20/2013 10:08:03 am

Thank you Bill. I certainly can identify with the love and admiration you have with your former coach. I think I've shared with you before about Coach Sasser and the influence he had on my life many years ago. He was a Christian coach who invested himself in me and many other young men through the years. He was instrumental in getting me into Liberty University and for that I will always be grateful. He taught me so many things not just about football but life in general, and how Christians are to live with integrity. I too look forward to seeing him again just as you look forward to seeing coach Hogan. Thanks for reading each week and sharing your thoughts on my ramblings.

Reply
Don
2/19/2013 06:40:10 am

Brother Rod, You have made a difference in my life. You have imparted to me a legacy of courage, faithfulness, tenacity, and integrity. Courage because you are not afraid to step out in faith and try something new. Faithfulness and tenacity because you've been faithful in your walk with the Lord and your wife and family, and tenacity because your have worked hard at everythhing you've done and not quit. Above all integrity, you hold to truth as a standard to gauge your life by and walk in God's truth above all else because there is no other truth. I praise God for you and your family. Blessings,
Your friend, Don

Reply
Rod West
2/20/2013 10:19:47 am

Don,

I should be writing these things to you and more. You've been such a blessing to me and my family. Your loyalty, and faithfulness to Christ, and to those He has placed in your care is abundantly evident to those who know. I love you my brother, and often thank God for you and Wanda. May your walk continue to glorify the precious name of Jesus Christ.

Reply
Sabrina
2/19/2013 08:25:50 am

She passed the torch to you. You and Teresa have passed the torch to Joshua and Tanner. What a great race of faith your family has run and is running. I thank God for having each of you in our lives.

Reply
Rod West
2/20/2013 10:24:02 am

And we thank God for you, Doug, and your family. I certainly see you in the same light as I did Teresa's mom. Thank you for being such a great Christian lady, wife, and mother. The radiance of Christ is truly seeing you also.

Reply
Norma
2/23/2013 07:37:49 am

What a blessing to have such a Godly woman in your life, Teresa's Mom, and I believe Teresa is very much like her Mom according to what you have said about her Mom. I had a Godly Mother and Father and I thank God for the influence they had on my life. I am so thankful for you and Teresa and what you have meant to me. God Bless both of you and your family.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Christian, husband, father, pastor2pastors, biblical counselor, author, friend, and lover of God & His Word!

    Categories

    All
    Biblical Counseling
    Church
    General
    Israel
    Marriage & Family
    Preaching
    Stories
    Trends


    Interesting Blogs

    Grace to You
    Mere Orthodoxy
    Joey Canady
    Ron Edmondson
    Church and Family Life

    Solid Churches & Ministries

    ​Friendship Baptist Church
    ​
    Hampstead Baptist Church
    Harbour Lake Baptist Church
    New Things Ministries 
    Oak Valley Church
    Peace Haven Baptist Church
    ​Christ-Centered Solutions
    ​

    Archives

    August 2023
    February 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    April 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    September 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012


    View my profile on LinkedIn

Subscribe to "Just Thinking"