What Do You Want Inscribed On Your Gravestone?
And today, let’s talk about death. {I know! Great subject, huh?}
No really. That is what I have been thinking about lately. {Stay with me. I am not TOTALLY morbid, I promise.}
While other people are making new years resolutions, I am thinking of the end. Specifically, what do I want my family, friends and God to say about me when I am gone?
My childhood pastor’s wife recently passed away, and I have been thinking of the impact that she had on other people. She served for 40 years along side her husband in the same church. And although she was not perfect, she was a servant. I was reading the lovely tributes to her and I started thinking.
What I am TODAY is what people will remember someday. I may not have tomorrow.
We long to be remembered. As women, we make stitch heirloom quilts and samplers for our someday grandchildren. We want to leave remembrances. God tells us to pass down remembrances of Him from generation to generation. We want to leave a godly heritage.
“Begin with the end in mind” is a favorite motto of mine.
So, today I am starting a short series on leaving the mark that you intend to leave. Being intentional about your life TODAY so that you WILL leave the legacy you intend to leave someday.
So, today, take a second to jot down some of the things you would want to hear said at your own funeral! {you lucky readers, you! he,he} Really, it will be a good thing!
More tomorrow!
PART 2– “Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead” and other Epitaphs you don’t want on your gravestone!”
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Thank you for this reminder of how we should be living daily and the legacy that we are leaving for generations to come. Is there nothing sweeter than to have your child wrap their arms around you and say, “I love you Mom, you are the best”? I look forward to your coming posts.
Beautiful post and so true! I love your motto, “Begin with the end in mind.” You’re right. This is a concept to guide our lives as we serve the Lord. Blessings!
Such a pointed, and timely reminder! Thank-you!
Whenever I have visited a graveyard and read the tombstones, I have asked myself this this very thing. What would I want on mine? These are a few that have come to mind.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.”
She loved her Lord with all her heart, with all her mind and with all her soul.
“…Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
And I recently read this one that I liked: “Our brief partings on earth will appear one day as nothing beside the joy of eternity together.”
I agree with Elizabeth’s teacher too. Determine to live that way so it will be true of your own life.
One of my high school teachers made a big deal about this… I remember him saying how we needed to determine what we wanted on our gravestone and then determine to live that way. It makes a big difference to keep that inscription in mind and meditate on it throughout our days.
I have been jotting my goals down and re evaluating how my life is spent.
I really appreciate this. It is something I think about all the time. I have been reading Billy Graham’s new book, “Nearing Home.” He said that his late wife Ruth asked to have her tombstone inscribed with the following words:
“End of Construction. Thank you for your Patience.”
There is definately an “end” to our journey here. And it’s good to live knowing the next life is coming. We also want to do all we can for the Lord, using the limited time he gives us.
THat is a great quote! I had never heard that one! 🙂