The Legacy

This week has been a little different for me. I am normally not an emotional person. I am pretty low key when it comes to emotions, but the song you are listening to now caught me off guard this week. A year ago at this time, a close friend past away. We all went to the visitation and reminisced about the person she was, the person she had become and the people she was leaving behind. We told funny stories and shared wonderful memories of times spent together. We attended the funeral and we cried (okay, I sobbed uncontrollably for awhile) and then at the end - after everyone had reminded us of the person Judy was - this song played. WOW! What a testimony to a wonderful person!
She fought breast cancer for YEARS while raising a family and caring for her husband. She was a youth leader, a Sunday School teacher, a board member, an elementary school teacher, a volunteer, and a friend. But more than all of that - she left a legacy. Not because she did all those things. Not because she was an awesome person. Not because she was a true fighter. Not because she gave more than she got. Not because she always had a smile. Not because she was a friend to the end. Not because she could warm a room with her smile. No - she left a legacy because she loved Jesus. She loved Jesus more than any person I know. She loved Jesus with her life, with her job, with her smile, with her kids, with her commitments. Judy loved Jesus.
And this week - Judy celebrated her one year birthday in heaven. She celebrated with a body that is thin, beautiful, and cancer free!!! She celebrated sitting on a cloud with her best friend by her side. They spent the day together, with Him showing her all the wonderful people she impacted with just a thoughtful word or smile. He reminded her of the children that she loved with the love of Jesus. He showed her a glimpse of what was to come. Judy - spent a wonderful day in heaven - while we spent the day remembering her and her legacy. What will we leave when God calls us home? Just made me think this week.