The first was his devotion to his wife. The whole time we knew Leo which was 19+ years, his wife Zola had health issues. She had health issues that slowly continued to deteriorate her body and her mind. Through all those years Leo took care of her. When others might have made their life easier, Leo continued to keep Zola at home with him and care for her. He was a true example of what it meant to honor your marriage vows for better or worse. I know from stories that devotion came from years of a solid marriage where God was at the center. A marriage of two people who served, loved, and honored God together.
The second area of impact was in his prayer life. Leo was the best prayer warrior I know. He must have kept a notebook, because, weeks after a prayer request Leo would come back to you for an update. It was humbling when Leo was still praying for something I might have already given up on. He didn't, like me so many times, just say I'll pray and pray once. He was consistent in it. If there was something I wanted prayer for I made sure Leo was aware of it.
I have been thinking about those things this past week, and I have also been listening to the lyrics of the Sidewalk Prophets song. "What will people say of me when I'm only just a memory? Was I Jesus to the least of us? Am I proof that you are who you say you are? That grace can really change a heart?"
Leo's memory will live for a long time in the hearts of many family and friends. A memory that, You are who you say you are. A memory that grace really does change a heart. A memory of someone who was Jesus to the least of us.
What a legacy to leave to your family. When I am just a memory will people say I honored my vows to Brett? Will my kids say we always knew Mom was devoted to our Dad? Will people say I wanted to make sure Janet was praying for me? Those things don't just happen. They require action on our part. They require a relationship that is intertwined with a God who changes hearts. They require a life that is changed by grace.
What will your legacy be? What will people say when you are only just a memory? It's never too late!!
Matthew 6: 19-21 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
