Who are you?
A dear friend of mine kindly shared with me the eulogy written for her sister-in-law. It was profoundly touching and beautifully expressed. As I carefully read through it, my thoughts naturally turned inward, reflecting on my own journey through life. I found myself wondering deeply: how do I want to be remembered by those I leave behind?
It is indeed a valuable exercise in deep self-reflection. As we grow older, our focus tends to shift away from building resumes and advancing careers toward more meaningful questions such as what we will do with ourselves when the time comes to retire. Even more profoundly, we wonder what will happen when God calls us home. I do not wish to turn this into something you might find depressing, but rather to present it as a thoughtful opportunity to look inward. It’s a chance to thoughtfully consider our lives, our choices, and to reflect on what kind of footprints—if any—we hope to leave behind for others to remember. It is important to take an inventory of life today, in this very moment. I believe that writing your obituary can serve as a valuable exercise in reflecting on how we should live our lives. By imagining the story we want told when our time comes, we can better understand the values and actions we wish to have manifested throughout our journey.
Really?! That’s a deep question. How do I truly want to be remembered by the people whose lives I’ve touched?
What do I truly want to say to the people I leave behind after I am gone? Who are the individuals I need to seek reconciliation with before it’s too late?
Have I genuinely fought the good fight with integrity and perseverance? Was I a faithful and devoted disciple of Christ in all aspects of my life?
In what areas do I recognize that I have fallen short and need to grow?
Tough questions, I know, and as I write this entry, it gives me a lot of food for thought. However, I will say that as I reflect and answer these questions, I am sitting here feeling truly thankful for the opportunity to pause and consider them thoughtfully. Gives me clear direction and the hope that one day, when God indeed calls me home, I will be remembered as a good and faithful servant of Christ, reflecting His love and grace in every aspect of my life.
So my call for action this week is: How do YOU want to be remembered by those whose lives you have touched? Take some time to reflect and try writing your own obituary, imagining the legacy you wish to leave behind.
Keep at it!
Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.
