Her Clothes or Her Characteristics?

Every day, since the day Mom went to heaven, I have put on her jewelry, her shirts, and her socks. So many of these items have Mom’s name on them. This was the procedure of the nursing home, Mom’s last home on earth. Ann Sachen. My mother.

I proudly wear each item. It was my mothers. With it comes identity. With it comes security. With it come memories. Like the shirt I have on now, is one that she wore a lot. It has a flap that has to be tucked inside the front, and it was always out instead of in. She would say, “this dumb thing” as she tucked it back in.

At Mom’s funeral, the eulogy was shared by us all. We honored Mom with our memories of her. We didn’t share of worldly accomplishments or corporate success. The memories that were shared by so many were of who Mom was, and how Mom lived. The personal characteristics that came up over and over again were generosity, love, faith, kindness, patience, perseverance, gentleness, and on and on the list could go. Mom did not lack in character worthy of honor.

I could get up each day for the rest of my life and physically put on something of Mom’s and though it will have some value to ME, it is not her clothes that create the legacy, it is her character. If I become more patient, then she lives on in me. If I am more generous because she was generous, then she lives on in me. Her legacy will live on if her character lives on in me.

Certain things will forever be an “icon” of sorts that will speak to me of who she was. Like the cross around my neck is hers. It is not real gold, the chain is tarnished, the scrolling rubbed off, but it means something to me. It was worn by a woman who knew what the cross stood for and lived under its power. She wore it because it is a testament to her faith in Christ. I wear it today because it is a testament to my faith. Her legacy lives on. Not in the cross, but in the faith.

Christ lives on in the legacy that is in us as believers. His life is not made visible by our steeples or our pulpits; our bibles or our bumper stickers. If His life is to be made visible at all, it will be made visible in our character; our Christ-likeness.

If you look closely at me you may see some physical resemblance of my Mom. If you know me well you may also see some emotional resemblance, or hear her in my laugh. And though I am grateful for all of these, I don’t want to just “look” like my Mom, or even “act” like my Mom. I don’t want to simply “wear” Mom’s clothing. I want to have her characteristics, live her character, be who she was. Who she was, was a follower of Christ. I will follow her as she followed Christ. Her attributes are worthy of following, because she followed Christ. Christ inside made Mom who she was. Mom’s character, which we praised at her passing, resembled Christ, because Mom didn’t merely put on Christ’s clothes, she was clothed in Christ. We saw it. We spoke about it.

Similarly, I could do what Christ did, and not be a follower of Christ. I can mimic His moves, imitate His voice. I can wear His clothes. But those external things will never create a character worthy of praise. It is only when Christ is inside that our life outside is worthy of praise. Mom would modestly be flattered that I find such value in wearing her clothes, but she would be more proud that because of her I am clothed in Christ.

I love wearing Mom’s clothes, and I will hold her close as I do. In a way, it will always be a part of keeping her alive in my memories, but the clothes will wear out, so I will seek to keep her alive through living a legacy of love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, generosity, grace . . .