Will You Leave a Legacy of Joy?

Ring Those Bells

My mom had an accidental collection of bells. Over the years it grew as she picked one up here and there on her travels, or as others contributed to it with gifts. There were bells of porcelain, crystal, and brass in a variety of designs and colors. When the shelf got over-run, they spread to the top of the china cabinet. The joy was growing.

Our little ones loved looking at the pretty bells every time we visited their grandparents over the years and getting the privilege of ringing them once in a while.

Life, Worship, Death

Bells have long symbolized life and the gathering of God’s people. They ring for worship, for weddings, and as families usher people to their final resting places. There’s something uniquely special about the ringing of a bell.

Piercing the Silence

I love that bells remind me of my mom. It’s not only because of her collection but the way bells pierce silence with joy. My mom was like that. She could change the tone of a room with her laugh and pierce the silence with her warm smile. Though her life held many challenges for her, she was consistently known for her radiance. She exemplified what it means to leave a legacy of joy.

But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
Psalm 68:3

Different Kinds of Bells

This past year held several different kinds of bells for my mom:

In 2020 she hesitantly used a bell to call for help in the middle of the night.
In 2020 she joyfully rang the bell to signify completion of her cancer treatments.
And late in 2020 the bells rang as she opened her eyes in Heaven.

And whether the bells signified her vulnerability or her victory, they all let joy loose. Because joy is found in both places as we lean into Jesus’ strength and the people who love us. Sorrow and joy collide in dependence on Christ and His people. And joy spills out like the peal of a bell when we share our need and our gratitude.

Leave a Legacy of Joy

I tucked this sweet bell from mom’s collection into my suitcase when I returned home, mourning her death but celebrating her beautiful life and the new freedom she’d found. And every once in a while I ring it to remind me of her radiance.

I want to continue to ring her legacy of joy.

What about you?

Do you ever think about what kind of legacy you are leaving? Have you decided to be intentional on a daily basis to leave a legacy of joy or of something else? I’d love to hear about it – tell us in the comments!