A Matter of Perspective: Legacy Across Generations

Intertwined in this past week was a visit to Mayo Clinic. This young man owes his life to the doctors there. Moments like this remind us how fragile earthly life is and how powerful God remains.

Throughout the past few days, God has placed numerous reminders in front of me of how beautifully time marches on. Yes, challenges will arrive-we live in a sinful world, after all-but isn’t the circle of life absolutely amazing? Recent local events only further remind us how broken this world can be, and it could be debated that one shouldn’t write a post about oneself or about things others may view as so trivial in such a tumultuous time. But I think that is exactly what we should be doing: continuing to look at the immense beauty around us rather than focusing on the evils of this world. Let’s face it, spurring arguments on social media about which side of the government is right or wrong is exactly what Satan wants.

Within the past week, these events have sparked my reflections.
Teaching the second generation-children of my former students.
Attending the wedding of a young man I have always considered an adopted son.
Attending a baby shower for a former student.
Organizing a closet that contains clothes older than my students.

It is bound to happen. When you are a college professor at a small Christian college for nearly a quarter of a century, you will eventually teach a child of one of your former students, and now it has happened. It is wild to stand in front of a classroom and think about their parents once sitting in those same seats, looking to you for instruction. Now that I have also taught one of my own children, it feels more logical, but it is still a lot to process. We also have a daughter who is dating the son of a man I attended Bethany with, and who my husband also taught, further proof life truly can come full circle.

Weddings are wonderful, even when it is -30 degrees outside, like it was on Friday. (It was about the same temperature when Eric and I got married long ago, and while not ideal, it worked for us.) This beautiful wedding was for the son of dear family friends. Our kids grew up together, and many of them are the same age. In fact, our son and their youngest were born exactly one week and one hour apart. To this day, they are still best friends, and I refer to them as my sons. Even when they lived in Texas, we made every effort to see each other each year. So when Rachel and Jadon walked down the aisle and she took her place for the ceremony, I became a puddle of tears. How am I ever going to hold it together on the wedding days of my own children?

This bride and groom are young, which certainly isn’t the norm anymore. People have asked my thoughts on them getting married while still in college, especially since they even have to return to classes tomorrow. Ironically, that mirrors our own beginning, as Eric went back to school to give finals just two days after we were married. But even if they were my own flesh and blood, my response would be the same. They are doing things in the right order. They love Jesus, and if they keep Him first, they can endure any challenges they face together. And for the record, I was the same age when I got married.

Our dear friends, and parents of the groom. We have all been friends since we were the ages of our children now.

I absolutely love it when former students reach out to reconnect. Last week, one was passing through town, and we met for coffee-a simple moment, but one that meant so much. This week also brought the honor of attending a baby shower for another former student. In roughly one month, she will welcome twins, a boy and a girl. What a tremendous blessing! As I sat among multiple generations celebrating this upcoming birth, I was struck by the abundance of love poured forth. Megan lost her mother when she was young, and it was deeply moving to see how her friends and church family surround her so faithfully as she prepares to step into motherhood. She will not be lacking support.

A devotion was shared from Titus 2:3–5, offering a phenomenal reminder that at every stage of life, God places women in our lives from whom we can seek wisdom and encouragement, and women to whom we can offer the same. This week, it has begun to dawn on me that I have become that “older” woman Titus refers to. Did you know the average age of death was 46 when that passage was written? I didn’t either until I read the Bible footnotes. No wonder they also married in their early teens then. Everything is a matter of perspective. I pray that I set a good example for the younger women God places in my life, and even though I can no longer look to my mom, I don’t forget that I still have incredible women around me who continue to offer guidance and encouragement.

In a way, I helped this sweet woman find her husband. They both worked for me at the student newspaper and it is so fun to hear about how her little family is doing now.

From student to mother. A legacy unfolding.

On that note, yesterday I attended a conference for moms focused on mental health. The speakers addressed our children, our spouses, and ourselves. It was uplifting to be surrounded by Christian moms of all ages and to be reminded that no matter what Satan throws at us, God equips us with what we need to care for ourselves and those we love.

Organizing is another role mothers often take on. Before having four kids, I was incredibly organized. I remember my own mother telling me how much she had to let go after becoming a parent. She was clinically diagnosed with OCD, so I can only imagine how difficult that was for her, and now I understand it more deeply. As much as I would love every corner of my house to look like it did pre-kids, that simply isn’t reality right now. But yesterday, I finally tackled an overflowing closet and realized that some of the clothes inside are older than my students. Since styles tend to return every twenty years, I’d say the vintage portion of my wardrobe is right on schedule.

As I reflect on this week, I’m reminded that none of this is accidental. God weaves generations together in quiet, beautiful ways-through classrooms, friendships, marriages, and new life. Standing in front of students whose parents once sat in the same seats is a humbling reminder that teaching is never confined to a single semester. The lessons, encouragement, and care carry forward in ways we may never fully see.

Watching former students step into adulthood-as spouses, parents, and leaders-has shown me that this, too, is part of my legacy. Not just the content taught, but the relationships built, the faith modeled, and the presence offered along the way. It is a privilege to witness these seasons unfold and an even greater one to continue walking alongside others as God writes the next chapters of their stories.

If you were once one of my students and this resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. Your stories, reflections, or memories would mean more than you know, and I would be honored if you shared below how God used our time together in your life.

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