March 9

Written by Bill Grandi on March 9th, 2020

Today is a day I’m not looking forward to in some ways. Not that I despair of life or of the day-not in the least. I consider each day a gift, a blessing, to be enjoyed. But I told Jo last night as we lay in bed, “I’m concerned about tomorrow.” Today I conduct a funeral of a man from our community who took his own life one week ago. From all counts he was a good coach, a man who cared about his players, and tried to bring out the best in them. A man counted on to help them out of their hitting doldrums, to help them become better players. But in all the accolades, even with his own children, not one said he helped them face life; that they were better people and navigated through life as a result of his influence.

Now, lest you misunderstand, that is not a put down. An observation. It makes me ask myself a series of tough questions:

  • What about me? How will I be perceived? I’m not a hitting coach. I’m a pastor. Will I be one who others will say, “He led me to Jesus” or will they say, “He was a nice guy”?
  • Did I take time for people? That was one of his strong suits. He took the time for his children and his players. The question that tags along is whether I was so busy that I gave my family and others my leftovers.
  • What did I leave behind? What did I leave them with?  Did I leave people with something superfluous or something of eternal value? If people can tell you about my cycling but not about my Jesus, then I failed miserably.

“Father, may I influence people in all ways, but especially in finding You. Help me to care about people but in my caring to point them to You.  If I do that, then my life will have counted and made a difference.”

 

5 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S says:

    My prayers are with you and the family Bill…

    The legacy we leave will have an impact. For some if may not be as deep, but will have a wide area of effect, for others the impact may be deep to the core, but may only impact a few.

    For some the impact is short-lived, others, eternal.

    I pray my impact will be deep to the core with those close to me and eternal… for those I only have the opportunity to cross paths with, I pray that the impact provides an opportunity for those to multiply it and pay it forward.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Thanks for the prayers Ryan. It is over and hopefully the words were a comfort. You are right about impact and its “life” for longevity.

  2. How ironic this is, Bill. I just finished reading one of Victor’s stories in “Theodore Luxton-Joyce, The Lovable Eccentric” which addressed this same topic – what will people say about us when we’ve gone? Praying to leave a legacy of God’s love, and praying for this man’s family.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I think about this question a lot as I get older Martha. 🙂 Thanks for the prayers.

  3. floyd says:

    Those are good questions for all of us. And that’s the prayer for all of us as well.

    I can say with firsthand knowledge, you’re running the good race, brother.