Kyle Martin was thrilled to be named valedictorian of his graduation class. But, as he shared in his viral graduation speech, achieving that title came at the expense of relationships in his life. “A lesson learned should be a lesson shared: Nothing is more important than your healthy relationships.” 

In Deuteronomy 4:9, God tells the Israelites (who learned their fair share of lessons), “Be careful to never forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren” (NLT).  

How will you share your life lessons with your loved ones? One approach is to create a Legacy Love Letter. Sometimes called an Ethical Will, a Legacy Love Letter shares hard-won wisdom, deeply held beliefs, and can even include funny stories from your childhood. Use the following prompts to get started: 

What do you believe? What principles guide you when it comes to marriage, children, serving others, stewarding finances, etc.? 

What have you learned? Highlight the people and experiences that shaped you.  

What do your loved ones need to know? Let your loved ones know about the difference they’ve made in your life. Make apologies and amends where they’re needed. 

What really matters? Share Scripture that has been especially meaningful to you, along with a message of hope and encouragement for your family and friends.  

The lessons you’ve learned are a priceless legacy. Don’t miss the opportunity to pass them on to those you care about most. 

For resources and a place to start, visit https://globaldisciples.org/get-involved/give/planned-giving/