The Upside of Legacy in a Vanishing Mist
Contributing writer: Deric Milligan, Inheritance of Hope Co-Founder & CEO
‘A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.’ Proverbs 13:22
Most of us think of an inheritance as money or property passed down at one’s death. At Inheritance of Hope, we think of it much more broadly. We view an inheritance as the entire body of work that is passed down from one generation to another. How did we make others feel? What memories did we make with others? What did we leave behind? In short, we focus on the definition of inheritance that is often overlooked - legacy.
Merriam-Webster defines legacy as ‘something transmitted or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.’ An alternate definition is ‘a gift by will especially of money or other personal property.’ Cambridge Dictionary simply states, ‘something that is the result of events in the past.’
James 4:14 says, ‘Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.’ What else is there on this earth when all is said and done? Without a legacy, what difference does our life make?
Living a life focused on legacy requires one to be intentional. What do we mean at Inheritance of Hope by the phrase ‘be intentional?’ Mainly, we mean to live life as if your time is limited – because it is. We believe that acknowledging this reality brings a fullness of life that is difficult to replicate.
‘A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.’ Proverbs 13:22
Most of us think of an inheritance as money or property passed down at one’s death. At Inheritance of Hope, we think of it much more broadly. We view an inheritance as the entire body of work that is passed down from one generation to another. How did we make others feel? What memories did we make with others? What did we leave behind? In short, we focus on the definition of inheritance that is often overlooked - legacy.
Merriam-Webster defines legacy as ‘something transmitted or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.’ An alternate definition is ‘a gift by will especially of money or other personal property.’ Cambridge Dictionary simply states, ‘something that is the result of events in the past.’
James 4:14 says, ‘Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.’ What else is there on this earth when all is said and done? Without a legacy, what difference does our life make?
Living a life focused on legacy requires one to be intentional. What do we mean at Inheritance of Hope by the phrase ‘be intentional?’ Mainly, we mean to live life as if your time is limited – because it is. We believe that acknowledging this reality brings a fullness of life that is difficult to replicate.
Indeed, many people go through their lives only to look back and think, “What was I doing for the past thirty years?” “Why didn’t I spend more time with my children while I could?” “Why did I let fear rule my life?” “Why didn’t I take that risk?” Living intentionally means living in such a way that one can look back on their life without regret because things that are most important will have been prioritized.
We believe that recognizing how short this life is and acting on that knowledge is priceless. Not only that, but it also equips one to leave a lasting legacy beyond this lifetime. Maybe you can have your cake and eat it, too!
Our mission at Inheritance of Hope is to inspire the hope in young families facing the loss of a parent. We believe that “Every Family Deserves a Legacy.” We help families like mine create lifelong memories, build a community of support, and receive tools to navigate the unique challenges they face. Our Legacy Retreats are life-changing events that encourage families to begin with the end in mind.
What do you want your legacy to be? Not sure, but know it’s important? In this library, we are going to help you develop your own unique story. Stay tuned in.
