Celebrating a Life: Kaye’s Legacy in Our Community

The Lord knows the days of the upright; and their inheritance shall be forever.

Psalm 37:18 NKJV

A hundred or so members of our little farming community came together recently to celebrate the well-lived life of one very special lady named Kaye.

Kaye was not only much loved, but she was an influential Christian woman who had started a children’s church in our little Baptist congregation, and today that ministry is still going strong after almost 45 years!

For two hours that day, we gathered at the spacious country retreat which she and her husband Hollis had created together. Theirs was a home that had become known as a center of local hospitality, and that day, as I looked around I was able to count three generations making themselves at home on the front patio.

Now I am certain that almost everyone had a cell phone, yet no one took one out, except to take pictures. Instead, people stood in circles sharing memories of special times spent with Kaye, “back in the day” as they say.

That afternoon, I came across person after person who I’d known since I was a child but hadn’t seen for a long time. With a lump in my throat and moist eyes, I lost count of the times I said, “It’s so good to see you!”

How ironic that even after her passing, Kaye brought people together in Christ’s love, just like she always did on earth.

I imagine that’s what heaven will be like—an unbroken circle of loved-ones saying, “It’s so good to see you!” And there, right in the middle of it all, Jesus will be standing, saying, “Welcome home!”

My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.

Billy Graham

Kind reader, do you have your own story of a life well lived? Please share in the comments!

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.


This piece was first published in the Sunshine Weekly Newsletter, a publication which is shared in nursing homes and assisted living centers. A special thank you to Peter Caligiuri, aka “Pastor Pete,” for inviting me to contribute a monthly column! Peter blogs at praise2worship.net


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6 responses to “Celebrating a Life: Kaye’s Legacy in Our Community”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar

    I love your word pictures, Nancy! Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!

    Like

  2. Nancy Ruegg Avatar

    Thank you for sharing, David, how a home-going-to-heaven really can be a celebration. A number of women like Kaye ministered to me throughout the decades of my life. Praise God for the wise, hospitable, gracious, encouraging investors-in-others! I’d love to see a map of the ripple effect from their lives. The circles would surely overlap and cover the globe–each representing a powerful legacy!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar

    She surely did, brother Matt. Her celebration of life felt like a home coming for all of us.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. jesusluvsall Avatar

    Kaye left behind a wonderful legacy in the people whose lives she touched for Jesus

    Liked by 1 person

  5. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Thank you for sharing about your friend and mentor, Brother Hugh. I also learned a new word: Colporteur—a person who travels to sell or publicize Bibles, religious tracts, etc.
    🙏May God bless and guide you today as well, Brother Alan! 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Alan Kearns Avatar

    What a beautiful testimony of a life serving God and sharing His love. It reminds me of a dear old brother who us now with the Lord. Hugh Keirs had worked in the local navy dockyard, but when he retired he worked hard for God. He was a colporteur selling Bibles door to door up and down the regions of Scotland, but this was just a stepping stone. His final work was as an itinerant evangelist travelling from church to church, preaching inside and outside, and distributing gospel tracts to folk at home. That was how I first met Hugh. He became my mentor as I joined him in his work for Jesus. I am sure there was a good gathering of saved souls waiting for him in Heaven, saying “welcome home Hugh!” Thank you for sharing this and reminding me of my dear brother. God bless you today brother David 🙏 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

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