Today, we said our last goodbyes to Sam. As I sat and listened to 3 of his children and his 21 year old granddaughter speak of their beloved dad & PopPop, I was overwhelmed.
Sam left a legacy. The legacy he left was integrity, wisdom, love, leadership, godliness, knowing and loving the Word, friendship, fatherhood, counselor, and many more qualities that he taught his children, grandchildren and friends.
As I listened to story after story, all I could think was, "Lord, I WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY like Sam has. Sam lived out exactly what he believed. His life was a living testament to His Lord and Savior. He was a walking breathing example of Christ in every way. I shall never know another man that I looked up to and depended upon like I did Sam. Just about 8 or 10 weeks ago, I went through a crisis situation. I needed godly counsel and I needed it right that minute. I went right to the phone and called Sam. I never even thought of calling anyone else. It was Sam that I turned to for wisdom and guidance and he was always there to give it not just to me, but to anyone who would listen. He prayed for me first, then he listened to me, then we talked about it and prayed again. By the end of the conversation, I had the answer I needed. That was Sam.
My tears were selfish today. I'm going to miss Sam so very much. I often felt as though no one understood me like Sam did. He just seemed to have wisdom that was so deep, I knew that God must have revealed things to him. He always understood me and gave me the counsel I desperately needed at that moment, as well as the love and encouragement. I don't believe anyone prayed for my family as much as Sam did.
I WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY Lord. One that my children and grandchildren can live out long after I am gone. That's the greatest of gifts I want to leave them all...a legacy of You.
Nichole Nordeman penned this song, which is one of my favorites and says how I feel...
I want to leave a legacy
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
the solitary
9 years ago
2 comments:
My dear sister barb,
I too stood in awe as Sam's family spoke of his honor and love of Jesus. It just oozed out of all of them. Wow!!!!!! What a true legacy he left his family. When Tiffany told that her POP POP didn't read her fairy tales as a child but bible stories instead I lost it.
Man what a DADDY and Granfather. But that was who Sam Fowler was, a man amoung men.A chosen man after God's own heart. When his family got done I felt like God was saying "Well done my good and faithful servant".There was never a question who Sam was or what he stood for. He "oozed" it!
I want to ooz like Bro Sam! :-)
I will never forget when my brother died Sam & Jackie hunted me down to see how I was. For the 2 plus years that Clayton wasn't going to church Bro Sam would come to our house to counsel with Clayton.It just doesn't get much better than the Fowlers.
I love ya Barb and you can call on me ANYTIME!! I will help bear your load if I can.
I am good with that!!
Love
the new YaYa
thanks so much for the post on Sam's service, we hated to miss it...these past few weeks when Sam would come to my mind, I would hear his voice say the words he repeated so often in our conversations, "my Jesus", and how throughout his illness, all he wanted to do was to honor Christ. During one of the last visits I had with him in the hospital, he, as usual, ministered more to me instead of vice versa, and he was the one in the hospital :) what a blessing he was and still is. love you Barb
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