“I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.” These words spoken by the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:15 highlight the importance of ensuring that our story will always be remembered.
When my father was eighty-one years old I recorded a four-hour interview of him, during which he shared about: his growing-up years, his courtship with mom, his life in the navy, the birth and naming of each child, his spiritual journey, etc. From that interview I learned things I had never heard before. Those recordings became a priceless treasure. Because of the effort I made before dad’s death, my siblings and I will always be able to remember these things.
Inspired by what I had done with my father I recorded eight hours of my personal “memoirs” to pass on to my son and grandchildren. I also created a document entitled “My Legacy for my children and grandchildren.” I printed it on parchment paper, dated it, signed it and then presented it to my son and then later to my granddaughter on her thirteenth birthday. Below is a sample from the thirty-two statements in that document:
- I want you to honor the Lord in everything you do.
- I want you to be faithful to your spouse and to be devoted to your family.
- I want you to treat every individual with respect and dignity.
- I want you to have a love and care for the poor and needy.
- I want you to be compassionate and merciful.
- I want you to have God’s heart for the nations.
- I want you to realize that pain and suffering build character and are a part of life.
Take Peter’s advice and begin today. Make the effort (written, audio, video) to ensure that after your departure others “will always be able to remember these things”.