In this last episode of our Legacy Series, Alex and Krista share about how we can harness traditions and rituals to help build family legacy.
The holiday season is the perfect time to be having this conversation, as Thanksgiving and Christmas provide opportunities to pause, reflect, and order our lives.
Legacy is what is left behind after we are gone. Each one of us leaves a mark, either intentionally or unintentionally. Our actions, repeated over and over again, create an invisible thread between us and others.
Today Daniel and Kendra Tillman, co-founders of Living Well Today Marriage Ministry, join us to talk about the impact marriage has on legacy, how a blended family can make a positive impact, and how kindness and humility change a family.
The Tillmans also encourage parents to take their role seriously, while simultaneously offering their children freedom to have their own relationship and journey with God.
Legacy is a big concept. Join Open Door Sisterhood podcast hosts Alex and Krista as they talk about what legacy means to them. When applied to a family system a healthy legacy can pass down values and seeds of faith that will impact generations to come. That sounds nice doesn't it, but HOW do we live so that we know we are leaving the kind of legacy we are wanting?
First we must know what our goals are. How do we want to be remembered by those we leave? What do we want to remain once we're gone? When we get those questions answered, we will know where we're headed. Then we can make decisions on opportunities offered us based on those priorities. We can implement habits into daily life that ensure we are making micro decisions toward the kind of life we want to live and the legacy we want to leave.
If you are wanting to live with intentionality, if you are considering what your larger family story has been, if you want to be intentional about how you shape your family story from here, push play. And then leave a comment here about what legacy means to you. How have you seen it play out (healthy or unhealthy)? And how would you like to leave the world better than you found it?
There are two words that encapsulate this episode: humility & faithfulness. These are themes that many talk about, but are difficult to practice and live out. So when a person encounters someone who embodies these traits, it is a rare and precious gift.
Pastor, author, and speaker Eric Peterson is the son of the late Eugene Peterson, who wrote The Message translation of the Bible. Eric describes what it was like growing up as the son of a spiritual giant, what he learned from his father’s example of humility and faithfulness. A fourth generation pastor, Eric shares how his own ministry was impacted by not only Eugene, but also by his grandfathers.
Krista was moved to tears several times in this interview, as it speaks to the profound power of a life well lived, and the impact that leaves on those following behind.
This episode reminds us that legacy is not left in things, but in people and relationships.
Rachel-Ruth was born into a family known for its Christian faith. Her mother is Anne Graham Lotz and her grandfather is the evangelist Billy Graham. Rachel-Ruth, now a mom to three teenage daughters of her own, talks about how the seeds of a faith legacy are planted and then watered.
Authentic is a word that comes up quite a bit in this interview. Rachel-Ruth says living an authentic life in front of our kids will let them know Jesus is relevant to everyday situations. Admitting when we mess up, asking for forgiveness from our kids and from Jesus, and moving forward are all key. For moms who want to make a spiritual change in their life, so they can authentically model a life of faith to their children, Rachel-Ruth simply says, "Start today." Pick up your Bible, read a few verses, and tell your kids what you are learning.
From someone who is known by her family's legacy of faith, Rachel-Ruth reminds us that we all can plant the seeds. We all have the ability to choose a life that follows Christ and if we are moms, our kids are watching. Tune in to hear Rachel-Ruth's three questions to ask when reading the Bible. It will transform how you read Scripture and how to encourage your kids to do the same.