Life in this world God created is full and rich, with multiple blessings and opportunities. That is terrific, but it also means that we never seem to complete everything we wish to complete. Sharing our faith with family, others at Church or in our communities should never end up on the regret list. We would rather give up a trip to the lake or our favorite concert than miss sharing the best news of all: that Jesus conquered sin, destroyed death and brought life forward with His resurrection and ours.

Myrna and Sid decided to not live in this regret. For a couple of months, they began thinking about their favorite Bible verses, the best moments of faith shared with family and friends and the hope to which they were focused as they prepared to finish their earthly lives. Then they each spent a week writing some thoughts down. They shared them with each other. They laughed. They wept. They hugged, thanking God for the richness of life. They then shared these statements of faith with their pastor, asking him to share them at their funerals someday. They printed off a copy for each child and grandchild and placed it in a card with a handwritten note to each one, with notes that they should be distributed when the Lord called them home. It took some time, but they really enjoyed this deliberate process. They knew that their lives were now deliberate testimonies of faith in Jesus. It all felt really good.

Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor can help you begin your process.

Jason Jones, CGP, CDE, is Saint John’s Gift Planning Counselor. Jason works with individuals in our congregation who want to discover the lifetime plan that God has planted in their heart. He will help them to use this plan to Transfer the Blessings God has given them to their family and the ministries they love. This service comes to you at no cost as a member of Saint John’s. To schedule a free meeting with Jason or ask questions about this special opportunity, visit www.StJohnsFC.org/transfer-the-blessings, call (970) 988-0305 or email Jason.Jones@lfnd.org.