At the age of 92, my Grandmother drove “the little old ladies” to church.” She lived with passion and perseverance. I remember her as a strong woman who always found a way to make things work out. She lived with a vivacious love and commitment to God. Twenty-two years ago, we sang, “This Little Light of Mine,” at my Grandmother Myrtle’s celebration of life service. It was one of her favorite songs. This familiar childhood song nestled into my soul.
As I reflected and prepared for 2026, I sensed the invitation of God to live with “fire.” For Kind and Country’s song, World on Fire, became an anthem for my soul as I began the year. In a meaningful manner, I remembered my Grandma Myrtle and considered the fervent fire of God in her life and its path into my life. This year I have aimed to let the light of Christ shine in me and through me.
A few weeks ago while visiting my son and his wife, their newborn seemed inconsolable. They immediately grabbed a small child’s speaker and began to play “World on Fire” by For King and Country. They shared that this was their little one’s favorite song. It immediately seemed to settle her soul and offer consolation. Her crying subsided and she rested. The beat, tune, and words of the song carry significance, and… remind me of the legacy of my Grandmother Myrtle. Scripture tells us that the blessings of God pass through generations. I sense this song sinking into the soul of my granddaughter..
Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations…”
Legacy – the long-lasting impact of particular events and actions, that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.
What are you passing on to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors?
This last week my daughter and I flew to Northern California to visit my mom and dad. During our visit we enjoyed sweet moments of storytelling. I recognized the depth of character in my parents, their parents, and grandparents. We experience the ripple effect of their presence and influence in our family and the world today.
My mom and dad both grew up in families that persevered through hardship, embraced creativity, and lived with loyalty to one another and God. I pay attention to the resemblance of these traits in my family and witness them in my adult children. Strength, loyalty, creativity, and commitment to God flow from the legacy of my parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc.. I trust that these will continue to flow into my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
I wonder today, what am I passing on? Am I passing on compassion, kindness, and patience (Galatians 5:22)? Am I passing on the commitment to resolve conflict and do everything in my power to live at peace (Romans 12:18)? Am I passing on the love for God, the Light of all lights (Matthew 22:27)?
While the legacy began before me, it also begins with me. I get to live a vibrant life, passing on what I have learned from past generations to my neighbors and friends, to my faith communities, and to my children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. How am I setting the world on fire? What about you?
I pray that the light of Christ in me passes on from me, just as it passed on from my Grandmother Myrtle. What steps are you taking toward living in peace with your parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren? Peace doesn’t mean that we indiscriminately accept everything that is passed on, yet peace recognizes that God is creating wholeness and healing. He redeems family lines and legacies.
What are ways that you see your parents and grandparents in your own story? I sense in our culture the tendency to focus on the negative that we receive from our families. We fixate on what we don’t like, what was done “wrong,” and criticize certain traits. While there is honest space for this, what if we also focused on the godly traits we receive? What if we consider the ways God forms us — starting with our family legacy — for the good of the world?
The blessings of God meet our needs across generations. Without past generations we would not be here, so let us appreciate the good things passed down along the way. Let us celebrate our family lineage.
Look for the good of God in your story, even through imperfect people. Surrender to God and His work on your life so that you might become mature in Him and grow in His grace and truth. Each of us have agency within the legacy we receive and the one we pass on.
We can focus on the negative that has been passed down or, we can focus on the good and the beautiful work of God bringing about wholeness and redemption, one generation at a time. May you set the world on fire with the Light of Jesus Christ.
This week – – –
Reflect. Consider your attitude and posture towards your family legacy? With God, as your companion, look for His good. In what ways are you shaped by your family heritage? What does God invite you to pass on? How does the light of the world shine in you and through you? Pause with God and invite His light to penetrate your being.
Request. Talk with God about the hard parts of your family legacy. Welcome the peace of God. Surrender to the movement of God to bring wholeness and healing to your story. Receive the light of Christ into the dark spaces, bringing His redemption, love, and restoration.
Receive. Jesus loves you as you are, where you are. And, He draws each of His children into connection and restoration. How does the love and light of God meet your story? in what ways does Jesus invite you to deeper connection with Himself and your family? Receive His restorative power and presence into your family lineage.
Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Exodus 20:6 – “…showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Luke 1:50 – His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Charles F. Stanley. Leaving A Godly Legacy Colorado Springs, CO. 2012.
David Green. The Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity. Ada, MI. 2025.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
For King and Country. Set the World on Fire. Click here to watch & listen.
Casting Crowns. Only Jesus. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
November 9-13 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary Spiritual Direction Cohort
February 8-15 – Kigali, Rwanda – Soul Care Retreat and Training with Ministry Workers
March 1-6 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary Spiritual Direction Cohort
March 12-24 – Lviv, Ukraine – Teaching “The Care of Souls” – Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary
🙏 If you would like to partner with me through financial giving, click here to give a tax-deductible gift to The Soulcare Anchoress Fund.
Thank you! 🌷
To read Spigots posted since 2018, click here: The Spigot