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Feature

The Value of a Legacy

By Catharine Phillips

As one travels along the path of life—delighting in, fighting through, enjoying and enduring those experiences that define a lifetime—some incidences leave us a little different than we were before. Some are massive, life-changing events—good and bad—that by definition change the entire course of our existence. Others are but pebbles or shiny stones that could be stepped over and missed entirely, but when picked up and examined, are recognized as rare jewels that can change our life.

I received one of those shiny stones at Christmas one year, when my Grandma Law presented me with a book called Grandmother’s Memories to Her Grandchild. It is a treasure full of funny stories and recollections—some of which I’ve never heard before and others I’ve heard 100 times. The book follows a basic question-answer format; questions posed by the author are followed by blank lines filled with my grandmother’s distinct handwriting. It is a glimpse into her life in a way I’ve never really seen her, and it reveals the essence of who she is and what it is that has shaped her into the person I admire so. This essence was perhaps most keenly expressed in her answer to one question:

That which I value most in life is: “My belief in God. The love of my family. I had the love of a good husband for 65 years. The years we had together blessed us with a daughter and husband, and a granddaughter and husband to be very proud of. What more could one ask of life?”

I must admit that I’d read the book through several times, walking past this shimmering jewel without really pausing to appreciate its value. But then as I read it through for perhaps the third time, I attempted to answer this question for myself, and suddenly I found myself re-evaluating my whole life.

My grandmother is a good woman.

Good is a word we tend to use carelessly and often inappropriately, robbing it of its true meaning. When used to describe a plate of fried chicken, good implies passably tasty, but not great—good isn’t as good as better, and is a far cry from best.

The kind of good I am talking about exhibits godly character, integrity and a sense of moral decency. It is the kind of good that does the right thing even when it isn’t the easy thing. It is the kind of good we seek to emulate as followers of Christ, “whose divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3, NIV).

By definition, one might think that goodness is good, but greatness is better. I believe that the opposite may be true. I believe that goodness is far more complicated and the two don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Greatness implies talent coupled with a deep dedication—a great musician, a great author, a great athlete. Goodness implies character, and one can’t simply aspire to be of good character. Rather, it is the direct result of one’s God-given convictions, values and priorities—and a deep, abiding love for Christ that keeps that integrity intact. I venture to say there are many who aspire to greatness, but who haven’t much goodness in them.

My grandma may not have had an extraordinary career, written a best-selling novel, made a lot of money or be world-renowned for a remarkable achievement. Perhaps by the world’s standards there isn’t much interesting about a Nebraska farm wife who worked hard all her life. But she is extraordinary. She is remarkable. She is a good woman, and I am blessed she has bestowed on me such a legacy.

CATHARINE PHILLIPS and her husband, David, live in the Phoenix area. After 11 years of marriage, they are thrilled to be expecting their first child next month.