My mom passed away this last month at 94-years-old. I had the privilege of spending the last two weeks of her life with her in the hospital and then at her home on Hospice. We shared some very sweet moments, her and I. Shortly before she passed, she became lucid and we were able to share a proper goodbye before falling back into unconsciousness. It was a gift.

The reality of death can be a sobering thought. Though for us as believers, it’s our home-going. My mom was ready to go and I asked her if she
was afraid to die. She was not and it often seemed as though she was more in heaven than she was here in her final days. She would often be looking up with a look of anticipation on her face and in my mind’s-eye I could see her loved ones who had already passed lining up to greet her. The promise of where she was going and knowing she would not be in any pain but would soon be dancing the streets (she loved to dance in her younger years) made it that much easier to let her go. She left this earth peacefully knowing she was loved and would be missed.

During my time with her, I began to reflect on who she was and the legacy she left behind. My mom ran at a steady pace, raising six kids; five girls and one boy with very little help from our dad – as was normal for that generation. As a stay-at-home mom she was the CEO and everything in between. Though my mom was not of the nurturing kind she showed her love in her consistency and dedication to her family. She lived a life of unwavering faith, she was resourceful, a willing helper and loved doing a lot of volunteer work. She was a seamstress, a gardener, an avid reader and had a steady presence. I really miss her presence. She wasn’t a loud, life of the party kind of person – her presence was different. Never to give advice unless asked, she was a presence of steadiness. I’m reminded of 2 Corinthians 2:15, “We have become the unmistakable
aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God – a perfume of life…”

A legacy is something that is left behind, akin to leaving a mark or an imprint. I look at my own life and I see the imprint my mom has had on me and the things that she passed on down to each of my siblings as a result of who she was. While I love all the practical ways in which she modeled life, what stood out to me was her unwavering faith. While on hospice, we would play old classic hymns continuously in her room. One
day I walked in her room to sit with her and as the music was playing I saw her little hand sticking up – a posture of praise. I am sure heaven was in her sights and not far off. Though she did not speak much of her faith, other than her expressed “Praise the Lord,” her stance was clear. She trusted God with her life.

I reflected on her reward – her home-going and her sights on heaven. What must she be experiencing in heaven? I thought of the beauty of heaven with streets of gold, the reunion with her loved ones, the magnificent ongoing celebration and the hush of holy worship. Everything finally made sense for her and as she stood before her King, every unknown was made known and she was at peace with the promise of every tear wiped away.

As Christmas approaches and the New Year will be shortly upon us, what is the legacy you want to leave behind? Does it resonate with the choices you are making and the way you are living your life now? It’s never too late to make a course correction nor is it too late to become more intentional about your life and the legacy that you are leaving behind.

May you be the lingering aroma of Christ!