A Legacy Left

What legacy will you leave? What will people say about you?

Well, I know a woman who left an amazing legacy. She not only touched the lives of so many in her life, but she touched lives in her death, specifically mine. That woman is my grandmama Fannie. My grandmama lived, for most of my life, right down the road from me. I spent countless days riding my bike or my blue go cart or walking back and forth between our house and hers. Spending the night at grandma's and grandaddy's was a given on a Friday night. There was nothing that I would want for that she didn't do her best to give. I was the youngest grandchild, so that did help my odds quite a bit. I can still smell her sweet smell......the sweet smell of grandmama. Throughout my life, with problems big and small, I have always felt that I conquer them all just by sitting at my grandmama's feet. No matter what was going on, she made it all right.

Grandmama loved us all, but more than us, she loved Jesus. I can remember her humming "How Great Thou Art" and "In the Garden" to me as I sat in her lap. I would find her on so many mornings sitting with her Bible open, reading, praying. She loved Jesus. She loved her family. She loved others.

So, when that day came that I realized I was going to have to give her to Jesus, I became desperate. How could I live a life on this earth without her? So I cried out, I cried out to Jesus. My conversation went something like this, "God, I don't know how to give her to you. How can you having her be better than me having her? Help me to understand this. I don't want to let her go". That was on a Thursday. Grandmama met Jesus face to face on a Sunday. How fitting!!! And God answered my prayer. As we were sitting in church, Josh's cell phone rang and it was my daddy. I knew why the phone rang. We both got up and went just outside the church doors. My sweet friend, Tricia, came out as well and began praying over me as I wept. As Tricia prayed, our worship minister began to lead the 1000 people or so in a song. The song....."I Will Rise". This song is such a beautiful example of what happens when that glorious day comes and we rise to meet Jesus face to face. God was telling me in a very vocal way what exactly was happening at that very moment. What a blessing!!! As we tearfully drove to Milan that day, I couldn't help but look to the heavens and smile.

It has been a little over a month since grandmama died. And as I type this, my heart still aches and I miss her so very much. But I look at her life and feel so blessed that God choose her to be MY grandmama. And I am thankful for the legacy she has left behind in me.

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail

There's an anchor for my soul

I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I hear the cry of every longing heart,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise