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This week we lost a very special person.Monday our very close friend called my husband to tell us that her father-in-law had passed away an hour earlier while hunting in the woods with some of the people he loved most in this world. My stomach was in knots while my eyes filled with tears. My initial response was to ask, “Are they sure he didn’t make it?” He had a heart attack while out hunting. I didn’t want to have to tell my children. This loss hurt. It was going to hurt them as well.I thought of his wife, his three children and their spouses, and of course his pride and joy, his nine grandchildren. This family is the epitome of what family should look like. They encourage one another, they support one another, and most of all they truly love one another. Myself and my family have been lucky enough to experience that same kind of family love and acceptance from them. Many years ago, our family was blessedwith their friendship that quickly turned into feeling like family. I clearly understood that the death of the patriarch meant pain and sadness for them that would be difficult to even put into words. Kenny was a man who drew you into conversations and left you feeling better about your day.Kenny had a sincere way about himself whenever he spoke to people.Kenny had the gift of intentionality.He was intentional in his life and that will never leave those of us that were lucky enough to know him personally. He could see a need and quietly fill that need as others around him rushed to complete their schedules. He saw people and he loved them, genuinely. And as I watched people show up for his viewing in droves, I was reminded just how much those intentional moments in his life affected so many. It felt as thoughan entire town showed up to pay respects and mourn with his sweet family. Hundreds and hundreds of people waited two plus hours to spend just a few minutes with Kenny’s immediate family and share how much he and his family meant to them. That in itself is a testament to who Kenny was in life.Here is what I learned from KennyBe intentional…don’t just show up and make an appearance. Engage. Notice. Act.Be like Jesus in the mundane moments of life cause that’s where you win hearts for Jesus.Smile, it is infectious.Decide how you want people to remember you and treat them as such. People tend to forget details as the years pass by, but they ALWAYS remember how you made them feel.Love your family despite their own shortcomings and your own. Have a short memory for acts of wrong done towards you and a long supply of grace, cause at some point you’re gonna need some.Go to church and don’t be a “last pew sitter.” You know what I mean, the person who sneaks in last minute to sit in the back row and leaves as soon as the last “Amen” is spoken on Sunday mornings. Find somewhere you can help at church, your presence will influence others. -
Pray. Pray daily and pray out loud in front of others. People will know that you are a safe haven for love and help when you are willing to pray for others so freely.Invite others in. People are lonely, hurting, and sad. Be the light in their life and invite them to the things that you are involved in, even family gatherings.Laugh and share laughable moments. Laughter is a great tool to make others feel like they matter to you. And it is contagious!Be generous. When it is time to donate to help others, do it. And if money is too tight, then donate your time. You will quickly learn just how much bigger the world is past your own nose.Make time for others. Your legacy is being written in the hearts of those who know you.I am so thankful for the years that myself and my family were blessed to share with Kenny and experience all the things that made Kenny, Kenny. The most important aspect of having the privilege of being part of his life was learning how to be a person full of kindness, sincerity, and love. So, go out in the world and try one, two or all of these points….go out and be a Kenny!The world needs more Kenny’s!
About Mandee
Being intentional in our lives is so important and a smile means more than we know many times.