The cherished memories of a lifetime of loving service challenge us to consider whether we, too, are creating a legacy of love.

Recently, a long-time elder in our church passed away. I knew him only slightly, since we are still new to this area; we had met him a handful of times, and been impressed by his kindness, his gentleness, and his taking time to ask about our children by name, though we were newcomers.

As word of his death rippled through the congregation and our larger Church of God family across the United States, we read and heard over and over again that we were by no means alone in our impressions of Mr. Smith. He was known everywhere for his humility, kindness, love, and his amazing memory for names and situations. Time and again people reported how Mr. Smith had made them feel special, helped them, listened to them, and loved them.

Immediately following the initial announcement of Mr. Smith’s death, the minister who was to deliver the sermon took a few minutes to share his memories of Mr. Smith and how special he had been. He spoke of his great love for God’s word and for His people. He closed by telling the congregation that the best tribute we could make to the memory of Mr. Smith would be to live as he had lived, to do as he did. “Be nice to people. Love each other,” he said.

As I listened, I was struck by the fact that the legacy left by Mr. Smith was indeed able to be summed up in one word: love. I didn’t hear a word about style, or sermons, or wealth. The tributes I heard were silent regarding fame or power or great deeds. But every person had something to say about his love for God, his love for his wife and family, and his love for people. The deeds I read about weren’t fantastic feats of strength; they were deeds that resonated in people’s lives because at the moment that they needed someone to care, he cared.

The more I listened, the more I was reminded of Christ’s words in John 13:34-35. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Of all of the instructions that Christ gave, this one is perhaps the simplest to grasp and the hardest to actually apply on a daily basis. Loving one another seems so simple, but it is so easy to let personalities and daily life and differences of opinion get in our way.

The death of Mr. Smith has given many people the opportunity and the challenge to reflect on his example of really living the meaning of this verse. His life—and, I am sure, the lives of many others of God’s people—is a demonstration that fulfilling this commandment is possible! May we grow in our understanding and practice of this command so that our lives and legacies may also be summed up in one word: love.