A Legacy

Another phone call came yesterday morning from my dad saying that my grandfather had passed away. I was at IHOP with my mom whom I had just picked up from the airport. I knew my gandfather would not last long without my gandmother, but I didn't think it would be this soon. I'm really sad to see him go from this world, but I cling to the fact that he really lived here. His life was not in vain. I'm so thankful that I can truly celebrate his life today.

My grandfather was an incredible man of God. He loved the Lord with all his heart, with all his mind and with all his soul. He lived his life for HIM. My grandfather was a pastor of many Methodist Churches in Argentina throughout his life. He was such an influential pastor that the Methodist Church in Argentina asked him to be a bishop for the country (in Argentina they only have one bishop in the Methodist Church unlike the U.S. who have several regional bishops). My grandfather turned it down because he didn't want to be in an office shuffling papers. He wanted to be with his people. He also served in prison ministry. My mom told me that a man who was in prison came to her and shared about his coming to faith because of my grandfather. He was the perfect example of the hands and feet of Jesus. He was on his knees before the Lord daily. Abuelo Tito had astonishing faith. He was a man full of love. He loved Jesus Christ, he loved his wife of 59 years, he loved his children, his grandchildren, his family and the people.

Last night 200+ people packed a little church in Buenos Aires, Argentina to share how much my grandfather impacted their lives. The service had lasted 2 hours when they had to cut people off from sharing. More people wanted to share, but it was getting late. The church was so full that some people were standing throughout the entire ceremony. This packed house shows how much of an influence mi Abuelito Tito had on the people of Buenos Aires. I wish I was there. However, I have a good idea of the kind of impact he had on the people their because it was equivalent to the amount of impact he had on my life, if not more. He is one of the major reasons for where I am in my faith today. If it were not for mi abuelo I would probably not know HIM. I'm so thankful that he showed my dad the way to be rooted in truth. I pray that I will be a woman of God that will lead my family to Christ as mi abuelo did. I'm thankful that he is in no more pain and that he is with our God and with mi abuela.

Thank you, abuelo Tito, for the legacy you left for me and my family. I owe it all to you. May I leave the same kind of legacy to my family, my friends and any person that I come in contact with.

I love hearing the song by Mercy Me-I Can Only Imagine, because I can only imagine what he did when he saw Jesus. It brings me joy knowing that he is with JC now, a little jealous even.

Also, the song Legacy by Nicole Nordeman is exactly how my gandfather lived.

How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy...Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I know that God has said to mi abuelito Tito, "Well done good and faithful one."
I pray that you would live life on purpose. Live for HIM and leave a legacy!




Te quiero Abuelo Tito! Gracias por tu ejemplo. Gracias por tu amor. Gracias por vivir como Jesu Cristo. Nos vemos en el cielo. Por siempre tu nieta, Paulita