A recent Sunday sermon was on leaving a legacy and finishing well. In other words, what are people going to say about us when we die? Naturally, I think most of us want to be remembered for our positive contributions and the relationships we held — being a loving parent, a devoted spouse, a cherished friend. Those things are important, but what’s even more important is the impact that our lives made here that will resonate into eternity.

There are so many people I’m looking forward to seeing in heaven. Family members top the list – my grandparents, my brother, my aunts, cousins … people who I know loved the Lord and are in his presence even at this very moment. There are also those who I will never see again on earth but anticipate greatly reuniting with them on glory’s side. Some I don’t even know or remember their names! There is “Esther,” a dear girlfriend from China. Then there’s the young woman who led the youth at a Methodist church that we attended for a while. She impacted my early walk with Christ in a postive way. There’s the guy who participated in a training class with me during college and encouraged me in the faith. What joy it will be to spend eternity together!

I also thought about the first person I led to Christ. I was scared out of my wits that I would say the wrong thing or that I would stumble on my words so much that she would be confused as we prayed together. God, in his mercy, has a way of using even our clumsiest moments! It will be nice to see her, too.

Pastor Steve asked what we would want written on our gravestone, and I immediately thought of Nathan’s. My mom, Kristen and I talked at length about what to write, what verse to use, etc. I am pleased with the end result, because I feel like it sums up everything Steve was saying. The verse we chose not only echos the meaning of my brother’s name, but it is a testament to his faith journey. Nathan would be the first to say that he didn’t have it all together; he was still learning and growing in his faith, but aren’t we all? I have yet to meet a perfect person, and something tells me that God doesn’t have much need to use perfect people, even if such existed.

Our gift from God

I believe that Nathan finished well. He loved God and made his faith a big part of his life, in general. He also left a legacy — an example for his boys to emulate. No, he wasn’t perfect, but he was real. He was a gift from God for 30 years of my life. I hope that I, too, can live up to my namesake and be a “messenger” of his grace and goodness to others.