A Legacy

Have you ever wondered what kind of legacy you will leave? How will you be remembered?

My Grandpa has dementia and Alzheimer's and is at the point where he frequently doesn't remember people (including family--I've even become his niece), doesn't carry on coherent conversations, imagines things, and mixes things up. After years of caring for him, my grandmother finally had to put him in an assisted living facility. While he is in the adjustment period, my grandmother hasn't been able to see him, but she has talked to the "nurses" that work around/with him. 

One day recently when my grandmother was asking about him, she was told that he spent a lot of time at the breakfast table. My initial thought when I heard that was something akin to, "Of course he does, Grandpa likes to eat." But food was not what the woman was talking about. She went on to share with my grandmother that Grandpa faithfully reads his Bible in the morning and often shares something from his reading with those around him. The lady also shared with my grandmother that often, even when people in their care can't read normal books, they can still read the Bible, and even if they aren't able to carry on meaningful or coherent conversations, they can still pray. Not without fail, but quite often. 

What a sweet testimony for the Lord! Though my grandpa is losing his mind, he is still spending time with his Savior. My mom has mentioned on several occasions that, even though she has always been an early riser, she could always count on seeing her dad reading his Bible no matter how early she got up.

It was an encouragement and challenge to me to be more faithful to spend time with the Lord, to build good habits, to prioritize time. What kind of legacy will we leave our children?