He sits and watches. His family all around. His girls prepare the meal. The grandchildren laugh and talk. The great- grandbabies play. There is joy all around him. His family. Beauty, chaos, love, perfection. He smiles. He is content in this moment. Dignified. Wisdom. Years of life. He has given so much…and now he is seeing the fruit of his labor. God has blessed, and he gives thanks. His legacy is passed down through the generations. And he takes in the joy of the moment. God is so good.
We gather around the table, hands held tight as he gives thanks for all our many blessings. We all bow our heads and hang on every word he speaks. Wisdom speaking for all to hear. We drink in his words, we bask in this moment of togetherness. He says “amen” and as we gather our children, sit and begin conversation over our meal, I watch him. He sits satisfied, content, in peace. And I take note of the stillness of his soul. The quiet of his presence. A life lived so well. So full. And I long for this moment to last forever. I long to take this memory with me for a lifetime. To learn and to remember this Christ-likeness seeping into all around. This man has passed down a legacy of Jesus. We are here, because of him. And I am happy. I give thanks and count this moment, this minute, this breath a treasure.
