Below is a copy of Leanne’s legacy letter that I wrote that was read at the service Saturday. The picture above was on the cover of the bulletins as it shows her overflowing with the joy that she had for the Lord, thankfully me and obviously our baby girl, Lulu.
Letter of Leanne Goddard’s Legacy by Paul Douglas Goddard III
I apologize to you for not being able to speak directly to you today about my precious bride, Leanne. However, as most of you know I was blessed greatly by the Lord to have such a godly, winsome and inspiring wife who loved me so fiercely as I did her that it is still difficult for me to share directly about her and the wonderful Life that God gave us. However, I know my mom who is an excellent speaker will give more justice to my words than I can at this time and they will hopefully give you more insight into the most beautiful woman I have ever known.
First, let me say that the only truth that is holding me together and keeping me going is the fact that because of what Jesus has done for both of us that she is now in the arms of Jesus in heaven fully whole and completely full of joy and one day when God calls me home, we will be reunited in His arms in our eternal home of Heaven together forever.
This gospel of Jesus’s love, forgiveness, redemption and rebirth is not only the passion of Leanne’s heart but the center of our relationship and love for each other. If you’ve never asked Jesus to forgive you and be your savior please know as I quote Leanne directly in saying “it is the best decision you will ever make”.
This love for Jesus and His gospel overflowed from Leanne’s life in a holiness, innocence and purity that drew me to her while we were dating and made me want to love her, honor and adore her and do everything I could do to take care of her. She was my best friend, soulmate and number one and only girl. We often talked about how we were like two peas in a pod as we thought alike, acted alike and supported each other with the commitment of love that I can only credit to God our heavenly father. I will say that she did comment to me one time that she was disappointed that I never was able to enjoy and embrace coffee and the same way she did everyday.
She always wanted everyone to know that God loved them. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”. That God was completely holy and pure. Rom 12:9, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good”. And that God wanted us to point our minds and our lives in the direction of Him and our eternal home of Heaven in all we thought, said and did. Colossians 3:1-3, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God”.
She always poured herself into whatever season of our lives we were living as a supporter, leader and overcomer. Whether we were living in the corporate fast lane and going to super bowls and All-Star games, fishing in the rain from our boat or going in and out of hospitals she was always giving 110% to honor God as well as enjoying the blessings he gave us. She never did anything halfway but always strived for excellence which often would set her apart from others. Whether she was catering a party, working on her master Knitters certification or leading an Expo outreach for our ministry, she was always giving it her best.
She also always enjoyed God’s blessings to the fullest. She loved animals especially alpacas because of her love of knitting. However, our three toy poodles all held childlike places in her heart especially Lulu our current baby girl who we have had since she was a puppy. She loved bird watching, reading Christian historical fiction, knitting scarves, socks, sweaters, dish clothes for our Belize outreach or even stuffed toys as gifts, cooking fancy and down home meals and of course puttering as she would call it when she could spend the day just doing things around the house. She was so in awe of God’s glory displayed through nature that she would often stop and exclaim “wow” when she would see a special sunset, mountains rising on the horizon as we were traveling or even when she would hear the waves crashing on the shore from the ocean. Her simple innocence and pure joy in these seemingly ordinary moments were infectious and but one of the many adorable qualities she held so tightly throughout her life.
In my eyes, she had the most beautiful face, fingers and hair. However, her smile was matchless. It would not only light up a room but people seeing it would often comment that it made her look radiant. It would always fill my heart with joy as she obviously was, is and will always be the love of my life and I thank God for blessing me with her for over 33 years.
Even though we are geographically in two different places currently with her in heaven and me still here on Earth, her words of encouragement and support are still used by God to uphold me today as we are connected in Christ for eternity.
Personally, the past few years have been very tough for us both but God has been so faithful in his provision that we both have been amazed. His faithfulness has always been a key cornerstone of our faith and life and He has always exceeded our highest hopes and prayers.
During this time she confided in me that one of her deepest struggles was that she could not care for me the way she had done the previous 33 years and it made her sad. She said caring for me was a joy for her and she loved doing it. What an amazing gift from God. She also told me one day that since she had not been able to speak for several years that she had learned that people talk way too much. What a valuable truth expressed. Lastly, we have always been a couple that told each other that they were not allowed to pass into the arms of Jesus in heaven first because the other could not bear being here alone. She shared with one of our caregivers recently while I was in Tennessee that she did not know what she would do if I passed first. I knew we both felt this way but to hear her express it to someone else strengthen my resolve to know that if this was one thing that I could do to bless her it is worth it to keep moving forward in Christ honoring her legacy with my life and the ministry as long as life endures like the great Hymn “Amazing Grace” reiterates.
I could share for hours the joy filled adventures we have shared and how many times she rescued me from being stuck in the sand, lying on the ground or penned between walls but for now let me just say that this woman God blessed me with as my forever best friend was always a fighter for God’s righteousness, lover of people and an overcomer in every way. Because of what Jesus has done for all of us she now lives in victory with him in heaven which is how I envision her every time I think of her.