I don’t know much about my great-grandmother, other than her name and that my mother called her “Nana”. I do know that she married my great-grandfather in 1885 and they had three children, one of whom was my dear grandma. But, as for her personality, I don’t think I have ever been told. However, this morning as I’m sitting at our dining room table, I am looking directly at something she loved, something that was, like it is for most women today, an extension of her personality, and I am thinking we may have had some things in common.

Prominently displayed in my China cabinet stand the remaining pieces of her lovely wedding China. The interesting thing about the dishes, and one of the reasons I have them displayed, is because of their color. They are hand painted, and I think quite unique for the Victorian Era, because they are orange and purple. Amazingly, orange and purple is my favorite color combination! My first set of dishes even had orange poppies and purple lupine on them, reminiscent of the even bolder colors of my great-grandmother’s set. She had no idea, when she married, that nearly 140 years later, her great-granddaughter would be admiring her dishes and wondering how similar our personalities might be.

How many of our traits are carried down from generation to generation? I think the dishes show that our tastes may be one of the things that follow our bloodline. But what else is passed down?

My great-grandmother’s China has me thinking about the legacy I will leave behind. It is nice to think that my future ancestor may like some of my “things”, but will she also know how I lived? Will she know how much I loved Jesus and know what He’s done for me? And, even more significant than three generations from now, will my children know? Do they know now? Do they see how I live and how I face things in my life with the strength that only God can give?

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)


I am not perfect. Far from it. In fact, those closest to me have seen me stumble and fall before. However, they have also seen me stand back up. My prayer is that when they have seen me get up and wipe the dust off my bruises, they have seen that I didn’t get up alone. I pray that love and light shine through me in such a way that there is no doubt from where its source comes.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Our legacies are more important than the physical things we leave behind. They need to show our reliance on God, our trust in His plan and our joy in our salvation. Loving Jesus is not a chore. It is a gift that not all are aware of...yet. However, we don’t need to try to force our belief in Jesus down people’s throats, so they choke. Instead, as we go through our life on this little planet, facing trials and challenges, even suffering and pain, we need to live in such a way that our faith in God is something to be replicated! We need to be always ready to lovingly share the reason for the hope we have. But if our words don’t match our actions, they will be ignored or worse.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

What legacy of mine will endure beyond this mortal body? I pray it is one of faith, hope and love – the greatest of which is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

I wish I had known more about my great-grandmother. If she really was anything like I am, I’m sure she would have loved Jesus. Though I never met “Nana,” I think I would have liked her.

Secure in Hope,





12 Comments

  1. It is interesting to think about the legacy our lives will leave behind. I find myself thinking about it more and more as the years pass. More than anything else I may leave behind, I pray my children and grandchildren will know and remember my love for Jesus and God's Word.

    The china is beautiful, by the way! :)

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    1. Thanks, Joanne! It was funny, yesterday while I wrote that post, the power went out. I took the picture of the China with my iPhone in the dark! I was surprised that it actually showed up as well as it did! LOL Anyway, yes... that is my prayer as well! May those who see my life remember how I loved Jesus. I pray that my life encourages others to want to know Him, too! Have a beautiful Saturday!

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  2. Jo, I love this. My grandmas' china, recipe box, and kitchen things are some of my favorite possessions. And you're right, I've never seen Victorian colors like that before. Thanks for reminding us to think about the legacy that we're leaving the next generations. It's more on my mind than ever since my mom died 4 months ago. I appreciate your wise thoughts this morning.

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    1. I'm so sorry about your mom, Linda. I pray that God comforts you as you go through this season. Our legacies are so important. Each day I am remembering that my actions today affect those around me and hopefully affect them for the better! Blessings, Jo

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  3. Jo, this is beautiful. I have a few items from each of my grandmothers. My father's parents both died before I was born. But, silly as this sounds, I have her purse. The items inside give me glimpses into her final years. I have a few china pieces from my mom's mother. They're floral, just like I like. ;) I love your thoughts about will my children's children's children know that I loved Jesus? My my children's children know? I appreciate your encouragement to consider the legacy I'm leaving for the next generations of Takenakas. Beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you, Jeanne! We are traveling to see two of our grandchildren later this week. I pray that as we play and talk and spend time together, it is a sweet memory in the making for them! Blessings, Jo

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  4. It's a shame that we rarely know much about our great-grandparents (sometimes even our parents). I wish I knew more about mine as well. Such a legacy they left me anyway!

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    1. It does make me think that I need to share more family stories with my adult kids. In fact, last night we were enjoying a dinner out with our son and his wife and I mentioned the year his ancestors first came to America (1620). He was surprised! I was certain I had told him before... Anyway, I have our family tree written out all the way back to their "address" in Scotland prior to 1620 and I promised him I'd get him a copy of it all. It is fascinating, even though there is not much more than names on a page. I pray that my legacy is one of love of Christ and not just a name in the family tree.

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  5. Such a pretty china set - and yes, it seems quite unusual! It's sad that we know so little about our family members only a few generations back. I treasure the stories my aunts and my parents have shared about their childhoods and their grandparents and other family members. I hope the legacy I'm leaving for my children and grandchildren will be a good one - that no matter what else they remember about me, they'll know that I loved the Lord.

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    1. That is my prayer as well, Kym -- to leave the legacy of a woman who loved the Lord! Thanks for dropping by! Blessings!

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  6. Wow! That's really special to have something from your great grandmother, Joan. May our legacies of Loving Jesus carry on! Love and blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you, Trudy! I do treasure the set. And, I agree with you completely - may our legacies of loving Jesus carry on from generation to generation!

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