A Shared Commitment

“I was terrified for our first date,” Sharon remembers with a laugh. “Jay was a straight-A engineering student, graduating college with honors. I had no idea what we’d talk about.”

Little did Sharon know that she and Jay would have plenty in common. Both were born and raised on a farm in northeastern Colorado, had no siblings and had even lost their fathers at a young age.

Most importantly, Sharon and Jay were connected in purpose. They started attending church together and experienced tremendous spiritual growth, setting the foundation for their future.

“We got married in 1974 and moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida four years later,” Sharon remembers. “It was the perfect place to work and enjoy God’s nature. We loved watching sunsets over the ocean, visiting wildlife parks and exploring flower gardens throughout the state.”

During their working careers, Sharon and Jay asked themselves the question, “What legacy are we going to leave for God’s Kingdom here on earth?”

Without any children, Sharon and Jay had a shared commitment to leave a legacy that glorified Christ. They knew what their goals were for their estate, but they had yet to set anything in writing.

Then, following 47 years of a harmonious marriage, Jay suddenly passed away from a heart attack.

“In that moment without Jay, I felt completely alone – but alone with God,” remembers Sharon. “I knew Christ was with me, so I went to Him in prayer. With all my heart, I said, ‘Jesus, please help me because I don’t know what to do.’”

Sharon felt prompted to move quickly and get her own will into writing.

“I prayed about it, and said, ‘Lord, please give me the guidance of who I should talk to.’”

Sharon began looking to her brothers and sisters in Christ and was soon introduced to Barnabas Foundation.

A Barnabas Foundation planner came to her home and guided her through the decisions needed to set up a will and living trust. Together, they developed a plan that honors God, provides for her loved ones and supports the causes close to her heart.

“It’s a wonderful organization,” says Sharon. “I was encouraged that I could sit down with someone I could truly trust – a fellow Christian – and map out my estate plan.”

Now with her will in place, Sharon finds comfort in knowing her resources will one day support her favorite Kingdom causes.

“I feel such tremendous peace,” says Sharon. “It’s not about me, it’s not about Jay. It’s all about Christ, and we just want to honor Him.”

“We’re not giving anything to God that He hasn’t already given to us,” she continues. “We are only the stewards of His resources.”

“I’m so thankful that I have the opportunity to continue to give back to the Lord,” concludes Sharon. “It’s such a blessing.”