Recently, my family and I experienced the loss of my wife’s grandmother—a remarkable woman who lived a full and vibrant life. She knew the Lord as her Savior, and while we grieve her absence, we take comfort in knowing she is now with Him. As we visited her home after her passing, we were tasked with going through her belongings and deciding which items we wanted to keep as mementos. The experience brought about reflections not just about material things but about the true meaning of legacy.
My wife’s grandmother, born in the 1930s, lived through some of history's most uncertain and challenging times. She and her husband, Billy, started a business during tough economic times, living above it and working countless hours to make ends meet. They knew what it meant to sacrifice, to live with little, and to push forward regardless of the obstacles. In the 1970s, they took a risk, purchasing a 180-acre farm—a dream they weren’t sure they would ever pay off. Yet they persevered, building a life and making memories on that farm that continues to shape our family today.
As I stood in her empty house, looking over the many items she had kept—some as simple as plastic trays from fruit bought long ago—I was reminded of the era she grew up in. She came from a time when nothing was guaranteed, and everything had value, even the smallest things. It was a humbling reminder of the importance of stewardship in both times of plenty and times of want.
But the most important things weren’t what she kept—they were the memories, the lessons, and the legacy of perseverance and faith she left behind. The real wealth she passed down to us wasn’t found in material possessions but in the values that shaped her life. Her faith, resilience, and stories of overcoming hardship are treasures our family will carry for generations.
That got me thinking about my own legacy.
As I watched my children pick out items from her house—small things that reminded them of her—it became clear to me that the most valuable inheritance we can leave is not our belongings but the principles and purpose we live by. I want to give not just material things but memories and values that will outlast my time on earth.
It also made me realize that I don’t want to wait until I’m gone to pass things down. I want to give what I can now while I’m alive so I can witness the joy and blessing it brings to those I love. More importantly, I want to be intentional about passing down values that will last far beyond any material possessions. I want my legacy to reflect my faith and the impact I’ve made on the lives of others.
And that’s where I believe we can all take action today.
At Life Bridge Capital, we often talk about “True Wealth”—wealth that transcends financial success and encompasses the values, relationships, and purpose we pass down to the next generation. I’m continually working on this in my life: focusing not on what I can accumulate but on how I can invest in people and relationships that matter most.
If you’ve ever thought about your own legacy—what you’re leaving behind for your children, grandchildren, and beyond—then I encourage you to start building it now. You don’t have to wait. One way to begin is by taking the first step in defining your family's purpose, values, and mission.
That’s why I’m inviting you to take part in our 7-Day Family Mission Challenge. This challenge is designed to help you lead your family in creating a mission statement that reflects the values you want to pass down. Over the course of seven days, you’ll be guided through a series of steps to help your family clarify what matters most and how to live intentionally according to your faith and purpose.
Imagine how powerful it would be to have a clear family mission, something that can guide your decisions, strengthen your relationships, and shape the legacy you’ll leave behind.
If that resonates with you, I invite you to sign up for the 7-Day Family Mission Challenge and take the first step toward creating a legacy that lasts.
My wife’s grandmother didn’t leave behind just things—she left behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and purpose. That’s the kind of legacy I want to build, and it’s the kind I believe we can all create, starting today.
