Harder Family Adventures: Update 5/2/25: Leaving a Legacy

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Love. It is a simple four letter word, and yet it is something that the world needs more of…especially these days! The Bible said that if we love, we demonstrate that we are Jesus’ disciples. What does that look like in a practical, every day way? Does Jesus really want me to love my enemies too? Can’t I just love the nice people in my life?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had these thoughts. Loving an enemy or someone that is just plain difficult to get along with is challenging. Thankfully, if you have a personal relationship with Jesus and have the Holy Spirit, we have access to extra help for this difficult task. It may be too hard for us, but nothing is impossible with the help of the Lord.

My cousin, Heidi, recently told me a phrase that has left me reflecting and pondering the last few days. She proclaimed, “Love like Cori loves, and allow someone to love you like Cori loves me.” I just haven’t been able to shake that saying. In order for you to understand how powerful that short, but deeply meaningful statement is, I have to tell you more about my hero, my cousin Cori. He has left a lasting legacy for all of us to follow.

In my last post, I shared about flying out to California to see my cousin. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in February. When I found out, my world was rocked. Cori and I grew up together and we had a special bond. Not only that, since my cancer diagnosis, Cori was my biggest cheerleader and prayer warrior. We would chat on the phone and he would tell me that I’m going to be okay because he was praying for me. To some, that may seem cocky, but really what it was is real faith in action. My cousin had deep faith in what God could do! Cori loved God and told everyone he met about Jesus…he was a bold witness for Jesus. Cori lived a life that I pray that I can live…one filled with true, huge faith in God and a heart that loved everyone.

Cori never met a stranger. He would talk to anyone and the light of Jesus radiated his smile, his face, his every word…it was the center of who he was. God truly created a special man when He created Cori. From a young age, he was very attuned to the things of God. In fact, one of my favorite stories from when he was young was this one: one day he was looking outside and he asked his mom, “Hey mom, do you see all of them?” She was confused and said no one is out there Cori.” He emphatically responded, “Yes, there are all these angels outside!”

What brings my heart joy amongst the sadness of losing him is that I know he is in heaven with Jesus and our Opa and Oma. I know he heard, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Because you know what, the world may have looked down on him for having an extra chromosome, but Jesus saw him as His perfect creation.

Cori didn’t let anything get in his way in living on mission for God. He has left an impactful legacy…one I want to live up to. He loved Jesus and he loved people! And really, that is what we are all called by Jesus to do. Remember Matthew 22:36-39? When Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment, He responds with love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself. That is how Cori lived his life.

How about you? What legacy do you want to leave? Many people think of money or fame when they think of leaving a legacy. But what better way then to have a legacy with eternal impact?!? That is Cori. His body may be buried in the ground, but he is completely healed in heaven and has left a huge banner to carry in his place…Love like Cori loves and allow someone to love you like Cori loves me.