From a young age, I have questioned just about everything and love to debate.  Those traits have made me a good attorney (and “aggravated” my family and friends).  As a boy, my faith started out as a “small mustard seed.”  But, since then, it has grown through fact, evidence and experience.  I love the guy in the Bible that said, “I believe, but help my unbelief.”  I also can identify with “Doubting Thomas.”  Don’t bash Thomas – he just wanted to see the holes in Jesus hands and side.  Don’t we all?

To set the stage, the year was 1987, I had finished my finance degree at UGA and was in law school.  The summer was dry as a bone, and the drought was severe.  There was no grass, and the cows were hungry.  The creeks dried up and cities had no water reserves.  Dad called in the Georgia National Guard to haul and truck water to those communities that had none.  All of the lakes were low, and the trees were shedding their leaves to conserve moisture.  The threat of forest fires and water bands had everyone on edge.

Dad and Mom’s faith in Christ was strong, and all they knew to do was to call on God.  As Governor, Dad could issue a proclamation requesting that all congregations pray statewide.  Some politicians issue proclamations for show, a photo opportunity or press coverage.  Dad’s call to prayer was serious and sincere.  Both Mom and Dad came from Godly families, grew up in Mill Villages and had seen multitudes of prayers answered in their lives.

The proclaimed Sunday of prayer came, and we attended Roswell Street Baptist Church.  I remember the prayer time during the service as being nothing spectacular, but nice.  As you recall, I always have my doubts.  I read in the Old Testament that God would send rain, but this was 1987.  I felt guilty for doubting God, but I did.

The service ended, we excited the door, the press and cameras were waiting outside.  The press can be real aggravating at times.  The TV guy pressed a microphone in Dad’s face, and fervently asked, “Do you really believe that the prayers for rain are going to be answered?”  Dad sincerely responded, “I have faith to believe that the Lord is going to answer this prayer today.”  “I believe in prayer.”  Then, it happened…BIG drops of rain started hitting the ground.  The half a dollar size drops of rain that hurt when they hit you.  We rushed to the car, and I looked up and noticed that there were hardly any clouds in the sky.  As we headed back to the Governor’s Mansion, I set stunned in the front seat watching the windshield wipers clear the rain drops.

YES!  It really rained!  When I look back across my lifetime, I can see many more of God’s miracles in my life.  I still have many doubts and get down.  During those times, I want my family and fellow believers to remind me that God is still in the miracle business.  I need to get on my knees, pray, take my doubts to God and ask for a miracle.  How about you?

What is your legacy?  Is it fame, business success, acclaim in the community, volunteer hours or political success?  Is it fortune, cars, boats, houses or 401K’s?  Or, is it family?  The greatest legacy we can leave is what we have done for our children and for our God.

In my 30-year legal career, I have seen good, great and bad legacies.  A good legacy is a when I person’s friends and family talk about what a great person he or she was and how much they loved them.  A great legacy is leaving a caring family that love each other, love God and support each other.  The bad is when kids and grandkids greedily fight over money and possessions when their folks pass.

No one is perfect, but we can all improve our legacies.  Be kind and open the door for someone.  Leave your waitress a big tip. Call or text a friend and tell them how much they mean to you.  If someone you know is in the newspaper, text them a congratulations. If you have wronged a friend, call, ask for forgiveness and mend the relationship.

Remember your family is the most important!  Today, call, text or send a card to tell them that you love them.  Spend time with them.  Ask them to lunch or schedule a visit.  If you have done something wrong, ask them to forgive you. Recently, I heard a sermon and wrote an apology note to my kids.  Our good relationship got even better.  Above all else, have the courage to ask your family members if they have a relationship with God and if they are going to heaven when they die.  Tell them that you want to spend all eternity with them.

The reality is that we are all going to die.  No one really wants to think about it.  Most people who die do not leave a written plan and oral instructions.  Make sure you have a Will that accurately describes how you want your property distributed.  Have a power of attorney in case you become incapacitated and can’t manage your finances.  Fill out an Advance Directive for Health Care that gives your family instructions on how long you want to be kept alive artificially and when it is ok to turn off the machines. These great steps really relieve their minds and lessen their many burdens. Once you have these documents prepared, hold a family meeting!  I suggest that you open your meeting with prayer, tell them how much you love them, give them your instructions on splitting up your “stuff” and how you want your medical decisions made.  Tell them not to tarnish your legacy by fighting and being greedy when you pass.  After you are gone, your kids need their family for the rest of their lives.  A great way to end your meeting would be to go around the room and ask for everyone to tell their best family memory and how they love one another.

Everyone dies and those who are left behind will grieve. Make sure your family knows your plans ahead of time so that they will not be overwhelmed when that time comes. The best way to lessen their burden is to be prepared in advance so that they don’t have to make the difficult decisions on their own. Please let me know if I can ever help, and may God bless you all!