The Legacy Left Behind

Uncle Jim, Aunt Geri, & Me

2011 Elkhart County 4-H Fair



In the aftermath of losing yet another precious person in my life, I can’t help but ask myself , "What kind of legacy I am leaving for those who will come behind me?"  Everyone is a writer.  Perhaps not with pen and paper, but with every word spoken and deed done, we each write our own story on the parchment of the lives we touch.  

 

This thought sparks some compelling questions in my mind.  What kind of story am I writing on the hearts of those who know me best?  Will it be one worthy of being retold?  Will the lines reflect God's sacrificial love or a self-centered life?  Will it be a tale of blessings given or opportunities missed?

 

 I think I need to start each day by reviewing such questions, and then pray for God’s grace to make each moment count for Him.

  

A Life Well Lived

On Wednesday, August 7, my beloved Aunt Geri was gathered into the arms of Jesus.  We all knew early last week that it would only be a  short matter of time before God called her home, but somehow I never feel prepared for such moments, even though I know that they are an inevitable part of this life.

 Aunt Geri and Me ~ September 12, 2011

There really are not words adequate to describe the sweet combination of winning qualities that comprised Aunt Geri's character, but the tribute below provides at least a small snapshot of the special ways in which her deep, abiding love impacted my life.

A Life Well Lived
The Legacy of Geraldine Murray

January 20, 1920 — August 7, 2013

A life well lived and a soul well loved.  That’s how I would describe the beautiful woman I was blessed to call “Aunt Geri. “  To look into her eyes was like looking into the face of love itself.

Anyone fortunate enough to be called her kin was touched by a love that was truly unique, both in its quality and expression . . . a love that could only come straight from the heart of God.   If you were to ask her nieces and nephews who Aunt Geri’s “favorite” was, I think they would all say, “I was” . . . at least, I would. J

Aunt Geri had a way of making me feel like I was the most important person on the planet!  She knew how to listen, I mean really listen, not just with the ears on her head, but with the ears of her heart.  I knew my greatest struggles and deepest secrets were safe with her and would be carried straight to the Lord in prayer. 

Hardly a time drew to a close without Aunt Geri gently suggesting, “Let’s just take a moment to pray.”  Then I would listen with wonder and amazement as every joy and sorrow, problem and praise that I had just shared with her would wend its way into her thoughtful, heartfelt prayer.  Never once did I leave her presence without feeling wrapped in King’s love and clothed in heaven’s blessing.  The love she had freely received from God through Jesus Christ, she freely gave to others in His name.

Aunt Geri’s faith in God was real.  There was nothing shallow or superficial about it.  She didn’t just state it through her lips, she demonstrated it through a life of sacrificial love and faithful service to God and others.

 

One of the things I appreciated most about Aunt Geri is that she was not afraid to feel pain — her own or anybody else’s.  I remember the times, when touched by my heartache, she would shed quiet tears right alongside of me.  Then I would feel her gentle hand lifting my face as she would say with tenderness, “God knows.”

Aunt Geri had the uncanny ability to identify and sympathize with the human side of life, while lifting my heart to the sure hope found in God’s Word and the eternal reality of God’s love.

Aunt Geri mastered the art of living because she mastered the art of loving.  I am so thankful that I am just one of many who had the privilege of being touched by her ever compassionate and always caring heart. She loved deeply, just like Jesus, and she will be dearly missed this side of heaven.

 © August 2013 by Christine Nicole

My heart will always and forever treasure the joy of knowing her and being embraced by her heart.

A Father's Day. A Daughter's Delight

Perhaps for some daughters, celebrating Father's Day has become "old hat" by the time they are my age.  But for me, having a father to celebrate is a relatively new and totally wonderful experience!

For the past eight years, I have had the joy of celebrating all that God designed a daddy to be through the gift of my adoptive father Ray Schenk, now affectionately known as "Papa."   Through my papa's loving and faithful presence in my life, I have come to understand and appreciate how wonderful and empowering a father's love can be and how far a father's influence can reach into the heart of a child - even a child, who by the world's standards, is "all grown up."  

What a blessing it has been to experience and be enveloped by the mighty love of God, my heavenly Father, through the life of my dear papa!  Today, I praise and thank my heavenly Father for so abundantly fulfilling His promise to be a Father to the fatherless!  (Psalm 68:5)

For the "rest of the story," please follow the links below:

Part I:

http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/index.php?id=2031

Part II:

http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/index.php?id=2032

He Prepareth a Place for Me

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ~ John 14:2

This verse in John took on a whole new meaning as I watched my Father literally "prepare a place for me" over the past 12 months. After five years of, more or less, camping out at Grandpa and Grandma's house, I couldn't have been any more elated to finally have a space to call my own.

What I marveled at the most was God's careful attention to detail in giving me the desires of my heart. I had always wanted a sleigh bed, and it seemed like nothing short of a miracle when we found this one at our neighbor's garage sale. Not only was the price right, but the style was everything I had ever hoped it would be.

But the Lord didn't stop there. Within two days, we were able to redeem the cost by selling my old bed to our neighbor across the street for the exact same price! If we needed any more evidence that God's hand was in it, we had it!

Next we found this nightstand and dresser at a resale shop called "Home Again" in Goshen. Although they did not come as a pair, they make a pretty good match.

I had always wanted a nightstand, and this one is perfect in every way and serves many purposes. Now I have a drawer within arm's reach where I can store my stationery, pens, palm pilot, and of course, my pocket knives!

This dresser fit the picture I had in my mind, and with Mom's touch of love, the drawers now slide in and out beautifully. It is big enough to be useful, but small enough to not devour coveted floor space. I'm thrilled, to say the least, to have a spot to put my clothes. It sure beats stacking them in towering piles on my closet shelf!


Then there's the incredible mahogany bench that now nestles underneath my Kurzweil keyboard. We found this piece of work at Home Again too. Only it didn't look like anything special when we first bought it . . . that is, until my Papa got a hold of it. His skilled hands found its hidden beauty (concealed under three or four layers of paint), and turned it into a gorgeous keepsake that I will always treasure.
Each time I look at its beautiful finish, I think of what God can do with my life, if I will only leave it in His skilled and loving hands.


For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted a chair nook in my bedroom. When this came together, it was like the icing on the cake!!! This chair, which had been buried in the basement for the last five years, was a perfect match and a perfect fit! :)


Now I have my "own little corner" where I can spend time in my "own little world." Here I enjoy countless hours in "journal land" where I lose myself in the lessons God is teaching me and take time to reflect on His plan for my future.

Having a peaceful place to rest, study, and create has increased my overall productivity and brought structure to my daily routine. Everywhere I now look, there are visible reminders of my heavenly Father's love.

When I think of how graciously and abundantly God brought all of these things together for just a temporary dwelling place, I can't help but wonder how glorious the eternal home He has promised to prepare for me will be. I only know one thing. It will be out of this world! :)

The First Gift of Christmas

It was the week before Christmas, when the thought struck me, "Maybe I could write a poem in the shape of a Christmas tree!" I laid the idea before the Lord before I took it to the drawing board, and with His help, this is what came together . . .

The First Gift of Christmas
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,

being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

– I Peter 2:24

A
Baby in
A manger: the
Father’s gift of love;
Sent down
to bring salvation
from heaven up above.
He left His home in glory, to save
us from our sin,
And make His home in
every heart that asks Him to
to come in. His name was called,
“Emmanuel,” God brought down to man:
Chosen by the Father
to complete redemption’s plan.
This first gift of Christmas, was placed
upon a tree, to satisfy God’s righteous wrath
on our iniquity. He bore our sins upon Himself,
and gave His very blood,
To pardon our transgressions and
to bring us back to God. This gift of God’s
redemption, through the death of His dear Son
and His glorious resurrection, over hell the victory won!
This first gift of Christmas was the Father’s love revealed, to
a world of lost and dying men that needed to be healed; restoring
the relationship that was by sin destroyed, and reconciling man to God
through Christ
the crucified.
Now a risen
Savior, Jesus
lives to set us
free, and give
us everlasting
life for all eternity.
© December 2009 by Christine Nicole

By the Grace of God

By the Grace of God
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me

was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I,

but the grace of God which was with me.
– I Corinthians 15:10

By the grace of God I am
What I otherwise couldn’t be.
I am free from condemnation;
Born into God’s family.

By His grace, I am forgiven;
By His blood, I am made clean;
Jesus Christ is now my Saviour,
And the Lord of everything.

By His grace, I have been given
A new name with my new birth,
And a home in heaven’s glory
That contains eternal worth.

Clothed in garments of salvation,
I stand righteous in His sight;
God has made me an inheritor
Among the saints of light.

By His grace, I am His child,
A joint heir with His dear Son,
And united by His Spirit
With the God-head, three in one.

By His grace, no trial too great
That my heart cannot endure;
Not a wound He cannot heal;
Nor a pain He cannot cure.

Though all hell may come against me
And the devil’s darts assail,
Still the grace of God is stronger
And will ardently prevail.

The grace of God can more than match
Whatever foe I face;
I will never fight a battle
That is stronger than God’s grace.

His grace gives me the will to do
All that His Word commands,
And keeps my heart from fainting
‘Neath the strain of life’s demands.

My desire to surrender
And to yield to His control,
Is effected by the grace of God
At work within my soul.

Oh that His grace may have its way
Effectually in me,
And make me more like Jesus
In His love and purity!

And growing in this blessed grace,
May I His likeness find,
Imprinted more completely
On my spirit and my mind;

‘Til the beauty of His holiness
May in my life be seen,
As upon the mighty grace of God
With humble trust I lean.

I have no fear of falling,
When upon His grace I stand;
For it keeps me safely nestled
In the palm of God’s own hand.

© October 3, 2009 by Christine Nicole

Eternal Father, Full of Love

This poem was an early gift from my Father first thing this morning. The words came so quickly that I felt as though I was only a scribe recording what had already been spoken. I pray that God will give me the grace to rest in this eternal love of His, and that this truth will be etched by His finger upon the table of my heart.

Eternal Father, Full of Love
The eternal God is thy refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
– Deuteronomy 33:27a

My Father’s love will never cease
In strife of war or times of peace,
But true and faithful will remain
Until my Saviour comes again.

Though friendship’s joys may come and go
And storms may toss me to and fro,
My Father’s love in vast supply
Will never wane and never die.

Though father, mother, kindred pass
Into the heights of heaven’s bliss,
My Father’s love will hold me tight
And comfort me through death’s dark night.

My Father, who His own doth keep
Through trials sore and sorrows deep,
Will with His boundless love so free
Sustain me through eternity.

Dear Father, while I dwell on earth,
Oh let my life proclaim Thy worth,
And bring Thee glory all my days
In offerings of endless praise.

Subdue my will and mold my clay;
Transform my heart without delay
To bear the image of Thy Son,
And be, with Thee, forever one.

Eternal Father, full of love,
I long to reach Thy courts above;
That I may worship and adore
Thy matchless grace forevermore.

Oh let Thine everlasting arms
Protect me now from all that harms,
And may Thy love from ages past
Transport me safely home at last.

© September 19, 2009 by Christine Nicole