I attended the funeral of a dear friend this afternoon. She was an older woman whom I have known my entire life, ever since I was a small child. When I was younger, I used to attend a chuch club called AWANA where she was one of my teachers at a very young age. Every week, I would enter the classroom and Mrs. Mary Lou was there to greet all of us kids with a smile and a warm heart. She would teach us verses and share stories from the Bible. Games would be played and we would make crafts and at the end of the night we would all leave with a little bit more knowledge than we came with.
As I sat in the funeral service today, I thought about all those nights at AWANA and the times that Mrs. Mary Lou would be there. Of all the years I attended AWANA and through all the teachers that I had, she is the only one I remember. I also thought about the impact, unbeknownst to me, that she had on my life. I suppose you could say that that is where my faith journey all began so many years ago. Sure, over the years I've wandered. I've strayed away from my faith and come back time and time again. I've had times when my relationship with the Lord was at it's best and i've had times where it was certainly at it's worst.
While the funeral service took place I thought about all the different children that I went through AWANA with and subsequently all the countless others that followed after me. I thought about where some of those same kids are today. Some of them, like me, strayed far from God. But more than that, I can think of so many more who have grown tremendously in their faith because of the tiny seed that was planted by Mrs. Mary Lou. Countless numbers of pastors and missionaries, teachers and evangelists that came as a direct result of the impact she left no our little hearts.
What a legacy that is. To think that her life touched so many people in ways she is only just now realizing. I told her husband today that I am a pastor because of her and the impact she left on me.
Here's where the rubber meets the road though...I have to ask myself what kind of a legacy am I leaving behind. Are the things I do and say, leaving an indeliable mark on the lives I touch? Are my words filled with love and compassion and do they lead others into a deeper relationship with Christ almighty? When I pass from this world to the next, what will be left behind me?
I hope that when my time comes I can leave behind a legacy similar to Mrs. Mary Lous. A legacy of of proud Christ-followers. I can't even count on both my hands how many of us once small children have grown up to become followers of God because of the impact she left on all of us.
She would be proud to know that the seeds she planted have grown into tall and mighty trees of faith...I believe she does know that now. Thank you Mrs. Mary Lou.
