A Legacy Between Casts

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them…” Psalm 78:4–6 (NIV).

The Bible is replete with scriptures about legacy, memory, time, and generational blessings. With each shifting season, we need to be intentional to reflect upon what we are passing down to the next generation. The season from childhood to adulthood, moves into memory to legacy so quickly.

Last week, two days before Father’s Day, our daughter turned four—and it’s hard to grasp how swiftly time moves. Even from the moment this paragraph began, history has been made. With every passing second, the future quickly becomes the present, and just as quickly, it slips into the past. Time is a mystery. None of us knows how much we have on this earth, and so we must make every glorious moment count.

Normally, we take Jubilee to the beach on Assateague Island, but this year, we decided to stay closer to home. We asked her, “What do you want to do for your birthday—go to a waterfall, go fishing, or something else?” She loves adventures, which she calls “expeditions.” Without hesitation, she shouted joyfully, “Fishing!” So, for the first time, we took our little girl fishing.

Moments Into Memories

My tackle box was packed away in the storage closet in the basement, and I had to search for it that morning. It had been at least eight years since I last used it. When I brought it upstairs and opened it on the kitchen counter, tears sprang to my eyes without warning. Sitting on top were two hunting hats my daddy had given me—one well-worn, the other still bearing its tag. Beneath them were all the fishing lures and hooks he had bought for me over the years.

The last time I used any of those items, it was with my dad. The last person to buy me anything related to fishing was him. The last time I went fishing was by his side. My heart swelled with beautiful memories—and then ached with the sharp realization that he would never take his granddaughter fishing and even more painfully, that I would never fish with him again.

It was a moment splintered with both joy and sorrow. Joy in passing down a cherished tradition to Jubilee and sorrow in the absence of the man who taught it to me. But I knew—deep in my heart—that Grampie was with us in a special way. Every time I showed her how to cast or reel in her line, it echoed the lessons my father once taught me. When we caught our first fish, her screams and giggles of pure delight brought me back to my childhood. And in that moment, I could not have been more thankful.

More than my love for the great outdoors, my father passed down an ardent love and reverence for the Word of God, something I am also passing down to my children. Jubilee and Levi will unknowingly carry the love and legacy of their grandfather with every scripture they memorize and with every Godly song they sing.

Moments That Endure Beyond Life

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV).

So much more than a birthday or a fishing trip, Jubilee’s fourth birthday became a sacred thread in the tapestry of legacy—one woven with laughter, remembrance, and the quiet, holy work of passing on what matters most; love. As time continues, we may not always have control over how long we have, but we do have a say in what we leave behind. The hooks and hats may gather dust, but the love of God, the stories of His faithfulness, and the truth of His Word endure beyond our lifetime.

Whether it’s in the thrill of catching a fish, the memorization of scripture, or the simple act of singing a song about Jesus, eternity is quietly being sown into the hearts of our children and loved ones. We are not just raising memories—we are raising disciples. And in every small moment of intentionality, we are building a legacy that will outlive us.

So take the trip. Tell the story. Open the Bible. Cast the line. These moments matter—more than we know. Ultimately, the greatest inheritance we can leave is a life anchored in the love and truth of God.

Journal Prompts:

1. What traditions or memories were passed down to you by your parents or grandparents that shaped your faith? How do you carry those into your present life?
2. Who are you intentionally discipling or nurturing in faith today? What are you hoping they will remember when you’re no longer present? What are you doing today that will echo into eternity for your children, family, or community?