By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Hebrews 11:4
Since my jail ministry mentor, Mrs. Sue, passed away in 2023, our church has been able to recruit four new ladies to assist with the jail ministry. I am so thankful for their help, and each one of them shows such compassion and wisdom in their interactions with the inmates that I find myself inspired anew.
But before them, there was Mrs. Sue (and in the South we pronounce that as “Miss Sue”). I hope my new partners don’t mind how often I mention her. I often find myself saying things like, “Mrs. Sue used to say….” or “One time Mrs. Sue….” By mentioning her from time to time, it’s like she’s still a part of the ministry. Also, I learned so much from her; when I share stories about the things she said and did, others can learn from her as well.
The Bible speaks to this idea in Hebrews 11:4 where it points out that even though Abel was murdered, his life of faithful worship serves as a testimony even to us today. Even though he is dead, he “still speaks.”
Perhaps you have considered what might be written on your tombstone one day, or what might be said of you at your funeral. We certainly want people to speak well of us when we’re gone. But in a sense we ourselves are still speaking, even after death, through the words that we have planted in the hearts and minds of others and through whatever fruit has come from our tree, so to speak.
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 7:16-17
Will we be remembered for good fruit or bad? Unfortunately sometimes people will just remember the worst thing you did, like Cain killing Abel.
But often people remember the last thing you did. Peter certainly had some failings, especially in his youth, but at the end of his life he was writing to teach and encourage God’s people, and, as he put it, “to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease,” (2 Peter 1:15). Through his letters, Peter “still speaks.”
Recently in our community a wealthy woman passed away, and in her will she left great sums of money to several local charities and service organizations. She arranged ahead of time for her wealth to benefit others when she was gone. In this way, she, too, “still speaks.”
Not everyone has wealth to leave to others when they die. Not everyone leaves a lasting impression on this earth. Most of us will not be remembered in history books. Yet we don’t have to be famous or do some monumental task in order to continue speaking after death. Tabitha (Dorcas) had a ministry of making clothes for people. For this she was much beloved and her passing was greatly mourned (Acts 9:36ff).
My mother’s mother was a simple and quiet farmer’s wife. I don’t know that she ever accomplished anything particularly noteworthy in her life. But I remember her kindness and gentleness, her child-like laugh, and the way she and my mother wrote letters back and forth every week. Grandma’s spelling was poor, but her legacy is rich because she was a godly woman who cheerfully fulfilled her duties without complaint. She also made the best homemade biscuits.
My other grandmother was a pioneer of special education. More people knew her and admired her. But to me, they were both “Grandma,” and they were both simply wonderful.
I miss my grandmothers and I miss Mrs. Sue. But I feel happy when little things remind me of them. In this way, they are still in my life, still speaking, though they are gone from this earth.
God still speaks, too, through His inspired word. By living it out intentionally and faithfully, we can hope to be remembered well when we’re gone.
by Christie Cole Atkins
Dear God, I’m so thankful for all of the people who have been good influences in my life. Help me to carry on their legacy of faith and good works to bring glory to You in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Related reading:
Walk Worthy 