Mothers: The Legacy of Our Lives

May 6, 2019

The following was written by David Campaigne, a Senior Private Wealth Advisor located in Blue Trust’s branch office in Baltimore, Maryland.

Mother’s Day is approaching, and many will take the time to show some extra love and appreciation for the women in their lives who have shaped their family’s legacy. A wise and loving mother is a wonderful gift indeed!

Celebrating and honoring our loved ones allows us to remember the impact that even just one person can have on the spiritual well-being of present and future generations. In 2011, I lost my beloved mother to cancer; she was only 70 years old and I was age 36 when she passed. Around the same time, my wife and I adopted our children as infants, starting our parenting journey. Both major life events caused me to reflect on the legacy my mother left behind…and the legacy my wife and I are creating for our children as we raise them.

The Scriptures teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12) and to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-17). In the financial plans we prepare for clients, we often show long-term projections going out to age 100 and sometimes beyond. To live to the age of 100 with good physical and mental health is a great life goal to aim for, even if our life journey ends before that. No one knows when we will take our last breath. Regardless of whether we live to age 50 or 100, we believe in living a life well spent.

What does that mean…living a life well spent?

Each of us has opportunities every day to build a positive legacy that will continue to speak into the lives of those who come after us when our life journey ends. With so many things around us that demand our attention all of the time, our focus can easily get redirected to places where worry, anxiety, and fear can take over, if we let them. From tragic events we see happening in our country and around the world to the up and down cycles in world markets and economies, it is very easy to feel unsettled.

However, living a life well spent is about passing on our faith and values to future generations. A big part of this is placing our hope and trust firmly in God and His son Jesus Christ who: created the world (Colossians 1:15-17); never changes (Hebrews 13:8); came into the world He created to redeem it (John 3:16); and said we would face troubles in this world, but to not be afraid (John 16:33); therefore, we can be content no matter the circumstances (Philippians 4:12-13).

Looking back, that is how my mother lived her life over 70 years. She truly showed characteristics found in Proverbs 31, describing a woman of noble character. I remember her saying in the final days of her life journey that she had no regrets and felt she lived a full life, even though her family and friends would have desired to see her live a bit longer. Seeing the way my mother fought her battle against cancer with grace and dignity, and how she finished well, will always be inspiring to me.

None of us knows when our last day in this life will be, and in light of eternity, our lives are relatively short (Psalm 90:10; James 4:14). However, God calls us to live our lives to the fullest for His glory (John 10:10b) and to never forget the wonders and miracles He has done (Psalm 78:1-7). That is a legacy worth living for and passing along to future generations.

Mother’s Day is coming up, and what better opportunity is there to appreciate the power of legacy? From all of us at Blue Trust, we wish all mothers a happy Mother’s Day!