How’s summer going for you so far? I released Anchored Hearts, our daughter graduated, my husband just returned from his annual family golf tournament, and this week we visited our son in his new apartment. In less than a month, he will be a married man. A fun but busy time for sure.

During our visit, I noticed he had a menu board where he wrote what each night’s dinner would be. I smiled, because for a month, he’s there basically making meals for himself. But, it’s tradition. At our house, we have a white board where we write out the meal each day, as well as our schedule.

Looking at that menu board made me think of my choices. Silly as a white board is, knowing he followed suit with a menu board showed me he was watching. Both kids were, and are.

Today I received a message from a family member who showed me a quilt my mom made. The member had a room decorated and wanted to show the quilt. It’s the showpiece of the room. Mom spent so much time on those quilts. Each one was unique and every aspect was thought of just for that person. My response was every time I’m in Wisconsin, our oldest daughter has her quilt from my mom on her couch.

My mom shared that as the youngest child by a decade and then some, she grew up basically an orphan. Her mom passed away when she was seven. She didn’t receive instructions or wisdom from adults when she married and had us. She raised us the best she could.

There is a lot I questioned or disagreed with in her parenting, but this I never doubted, her love for us.

Those quilts are tangible evidence of her love.

With everything going on around us, it’s very evident we aren’t promised tomorrow. We never know when our last breath would be. What I do know, is we leave it all behind. What will it be? Tradition and structure like the menu board? Love spoken through heirlooms like quilts?

How about eternal life?

My kids will certainly attest that I haven’t been a perfect parent. But when my husband asked how I was doing emotionally now that our son has moved, I said I know a lot of moms fall apart over it, but not me. I poured everything I had into him and his sister. Those kids know I don’t just believe in God, I believe God. They are literal miracles because I believed Jesus and that He heals. Our house knows prayer changes thing and worship is key. He’s ready to face the world.

When our daughter is faced with worldly choices, she stands firm and explains her answer. It’s always the same.

Jesus.

That’s the true legacy I want to leave. Not how much in an account or a beloved Christmas decoration passed down. Not even the quilts, and I love those. It’s making sure my kids know who Jesus is, and His Word. That He is the way, the truth, and life. That’s legacy.

—Julie Arduini

If you’d like to know more, reach out to any one of us here at Christians Read.

What legacy do you plan to leave?