Building a Legacy that Lasts

 

Building a Legacy That Lasts

May is a month filled with milestones — Mother’s Day, graduations, and the winding down of the school year. It’s a season that naturally turns our thoughts toward family, growth, and the legacy we’re leaving behind.

Legacy isn’t just about what we leave in a will. It’s about the deeper things — the values, wisdom, and faith we pass along to the people who matter most. Whether you're cheering on a grandchild at a soccer game or helping a child memorize their spelling words at the kitchen table, you are shaping a story that will outlast you.

The Bible speaks to this calling in a powerful way. In the Old Testament, God encourages parents and grandparents to “teach [these words] diligently to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:7). In the New Testament, we hear about the sincere faith passed from Lois to her daughter Eunice and on to her grandson Timothy — three generations linked not just by family blood, but by living faith (2 Timothy 1:5).

You don't have to be a Bible scholar to pass on something meaningful. Sharing simple stories about how you've seen kindness win, how you’ve found strength when life was tough, or how prayer helped you through a hard season — these are gifts that stick with people. And sometimes, the quiet example of showing up, encouraging others, and living with hope speaks louder than any sermon ever could.

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4 (NRSV)

No matter what season of life you're in, it's never too late — or too early — to build a legacy that lasts. Every encouraging word, every act of patience, every moment of pointing someone toward hope plants seeds that can grow for generations.

At Monroe UMC, we’re here to help each other plant and water those seeds. We invite you to join us this month as we celebrate family, honor the generations, and lean into the lasting difference God calls each of us to make.

You are shaping a legacy. Let’s make it one that points to love, hope, and lasting faith.