- “This guy was a worker! He hustled and made a bundle.”
- “She raised her kids to be Somebodies.”
- “Born to a poor family, she rose to vice-president in a prestigious company.”
- “This author writes Best Sellers.”
OR
- “She swept floors and cleaned bathrooms for the glory of God.”
- “He lived the Gospel but had only two converts.”
- “She worked overtime to keep her daughter in college.”
- “He loved on misfits and broken people.”
I think a lot about these options, especially after living a year with stage-4 lung cancer. God has kept me alive—but to what purpose? How will I be remembered?
- I was high-school valedictorian.
- I graduated Magna cum Laude from college.
- I married happily, raised 3 wonderful kids, worked hard at tree farming, Christian camping, house building, gardening, traveling.
- I published 6 novels, plus articles and short stories.
That’s my history, but the ESSENCE of my life has only recently come fully into focus. God created Eleanor Kathleen Emmans Gustafson (aka Ellie) to be His person, and I sensed that at a very young age. Yes, He gave me an incredibly full and interesting life, but in review, I see that life’s fullness lies, not in what I’ve done, but in my ongoing relationship with Him. I look back with nostalgia on activities I can no longer do, but I can continue to drink in the richness of a God-oriented existence. I’ve had a good life, though it’s nothing compared to what I know to be ahead: Tight love relationships in a world of incredible beauty and REALNESS.
A quote from Ken Boa: “Scripture teaches that our meaning is not found in a quest for self but in a calling to know God.” I hunger and thirst to be at the epicenter of God’s glorious Presence.
How do I WANT to be remembered?
A God lover who loves on others.
🙂 Here’s a self-serving PS: I’d love for you to read one or more of my books! Click the link below and see what comes up. (Note: Other Gustafsons seem to have gotten thrown into the mix.) All my novels point to God’s redeeming grace and mercy.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=eleanor+gustafson&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
How do YOU want to be remembered? Tell me, either below or egus@me.com
Awesome article, Ellie. Miss you!
This is beautiful Ellie. Thank You for sharing.
Thanks Ellie, for your style and the ability to communicate with grace, honor and truth.
What a joy to say I have read some of your books, but more importantly I have read and been a student of your life and your witness. I so appreciate your steady and consistent witness for the glorification of our Great God and King!
Sending a virtual hug in Christ 🙂
Lord, please help me to be a committed Christian and a dedicated follower of Jesus, amen.
I agree: that’s how I would like to be remembered since I’m a Christian first and foremost. Because of your longtime faithfulness to Christ, Ellie, I think 🤔 you well describe how you will, in fact, be remembered by most people. More important, you are likely to see a bright smile 😃 on our Lord’s face when He says to you, “Well done ✅, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord.”✨
To know and follow Jesus is the most important thing for all of us. And you, Ellie, are a wonderful example of this. May I follow in your train! Love, Lowell
Ellie, your life has glorified our Lord. Your courage in the past year of struggles has inspired many. The joy on your face in the photo reminds me of how we will greet Him in heaven! YES!! 👑
Love ya! Konnie
I like your word “essence” — it helps us focus.
Lovely essay, Ellie. Hope we get to hug soon on this side of Jordan!
I would like to be remembered as His person, too! Thank you for bringing that into focus. I see that in you.
I will remember Ellie as my conversational partner for many years now. She always reads what I write. She always engages with what I write. I will not forget that.
Ellie, you are close in my heart. You have been, and still are, an incredible influence in my life. A beacon of who Christ is and how God wants to be at the center of how we live our lives. In my love of music, you fostered the gift that God entrusted to me and helped me grow as a musician. You gave me my first classical records, you wanted me to have you favorites. You took me under your wing as a young choral conductor and taught me to fly. I love you and Jim more than words can ever express.
Thank you for opening up your heart and sharing your passion for God and music!
blessings on you, Ruthie!That whole music thread is so interesting. It started out strong in my life, and I was able to pass it along. But then, when writing took over, music began to dim and is on an entirely different plane right now. When we get to heaven, we’ll be in that multi-thousand-voice choir that will praise our Savior endlessly. You can direct for a while, and I’ll spell you when needed. : )
When I think about you, I always remember your generosity of spirit. The radiant smile, voluminous hugs, and sage advice.
Thank you for courageously sharing who God made you to be.You are a precious and joyful role-model for those of us trying to be more like Jesus!
Love always, Sue
You will be remembered as a true lover of Christ and people.
I have looked at you looking upwards for 24 years and you haven’t wavered.
Your unwavering love and commitment to Him and to love others, has made a big impact in my life.
Whenever I see you, I feel happy to know you and am very glad you are still here with us Ellie!!
You’re a huge blessing and witness in our church, thank you. You Rock!!
Big hug and love,
Danea
P.s.
I also have read more than half your books and loved them all!!
I would like to remembered as a man who served God to the glory of God.
Eleanor, I am sorry to say my faith cannot compare with your devout status. Your sister, my wife and I attended church services and were in church life as long as we were able and I know both she and I considered ourselves Christians. However, due to my thinking in earthly concepts, I have found myself at times a “Doubting Thomas” asking, can it really be true that he has prepared a place for me? This is a big and mysterious world and I want to believe anything is possible so, I want to believe to the degree that you do. To answer the question, how do I want to be remembered? As a loving, and caring Christian person, a person who was proud of the life he lived, his marriage and his children. Amen!
Ellie, you are such an inspiration! When I had cancer, the doctor told me I’d be fine but I had to go thru the process. What God showed me was His love via the army of people who drove me to radiation appts so I could sleep to and from to be able to do the next gig! I’d get picked up after one rehearsal and dropped off at the next. There was another army of people providing me meals because after all the gigs/rehearsals I had nothing left to cook with. Like you I had plenty of time to think about how I wanted to be remembered and it is this: Lover of God and to further His Kingdom by lovingly ministering to anyone who crossed my path. Bless your journey Ellie.
Linda Kirk
PS I’ve read and enjoyed a few of your books as well as given some as gifts.
We love you Ellie. Your inspirational piece made me to ponder the reason for our existence and reflect on the coming eternal life.
Many people for sure will talk about us, about our actions and the impact of our lives in the society we lived in. They will remember us based on the good we did to them or the bad we did.
Adolf Hitler is remembered for the bad he did up to now. Mother Teresa too is remembered in her part for the good she did. Dictators never fade in the minds of people and in the world at large. It is good to do good. The Bible is full of people who did good as well as those who did bad.
In Joppa Tabitha which is translated Dorcus was a woman in the Bible who was doing good and helping the poor. She became sick and died. The disciples sent for Peter who was in Lydda not far from Joppa. Peter arrived and found the widows. They stood around Peter crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcus had made while she was still with them. (Acts 9:36-43)
Ellie I love your blog. It makes me to think deeper. You are doing good to many. We love you so much.
Dear Ellie,
You are such a gift, and a friend, and a blessing, and in incredible reminder of how wonderful life is when we put our trust in God through His glorious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, you have had a very blessed life, as have I. And you have an even more wonderful future yet in store, as do I and all who believe and love our Savior. Thank you for writing this, and thank you for reminding us again of how wonderful is our faith, and how great is our God. The light of God shines brightly in you. Keep shining.
Steve Gammon
Hello Ellie…
I’m late to the blog… I have been in deep thought about it for a while. My father passed away in November and we were not able to have a funeral, so we gathered via video to share our hearts about dad. No matter the memory shared, his love and acceptance shined through. He married a woman with 3 children and he LOVED them as his own and then they had me. I never knew my siblings had a different father and didn’t know they had a different last name until elementary school. My dad was a quiet man, one of few words but there was no doubt how much he loved each one of us, he spoke volumes with his actions. I hope I’m known for my life in Christ, that I was a loving wife, mom, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend. That I reconciled any wrongs I caused and forgave those who wronged me. Hugs friend!