Memorial Decoration

Just about everyone in my family has one wall inside their home decorated nearly top to bottom with family photos.  This unique interior design speaks a testimony of the lives and legacies of generations of loved ones. We choose special photos for this wall such that we would be reminded of who we are and from where we’ve come. Every day we are blessed to walk by the images of those who have loved and sacrificed for us. We decorate our homes with a pictorial memorial.

Did you know you can decorate your life in much the same way? My grandfather does.

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of spending the day with my grandfather. He is a World War II veteran. He was a paratrooper and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. On rare occasions he has given us details of his time in Europe fighting for his country. When he does, he always talks of the sacrifices of others who made it possible for him to be here today. I don’t know their names, but there are brave men who lost their lives fighting alongside my grandfather. He came home. They didn’t. My dear grandfather has often pondered and been left speechless when he considers how it is that he managed to survive. His life is an incomprehensible gift.

Anyone who has spent any time around my grandfather can see that his life is a living memorial which honors the sacrifices of those men. His life is decorated with actions, choices, commitments, passions and pursuits which are a testimony to the lives and legacies of those who sacrificed all.

More than that, my grandfather’s life is a testimony to the life and legacy of the One who gave all so that he could enjoy life everlasting. It is an incomprehensible gift…for him, for me, for you, for all of us.

Have you ever felt speechless when you consider the incomprehensible gift of your life? When people observe you each day… whose memory do your actions, choices, commitments, passions and pursuits testify to? How is your life decorated? Is it covered top to bottom with images of the legacy of the Lord?

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13