Written by John Griego
Legacy thinking means dedicating ourselves to making a difference in the lives of others and herein is the foundation to Michael’s mission in life. He would comment,
“that when he left this world that people would not remember him for what he did for himself but for the work he did for others.”
He believed that the people we touch are the inheritors of our work and one of his great joys and grave responsibilities was to pass on this thinking to other men to make sure they understood that those in their care live lives not only of success but also of significance. A foundational belief was established in one of his favorite Bible verses, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
Michael knew that nothing we accomplish could be accomplished alone, and as a leader of men he knew that a legacy had to be a legacy of many. As a result, God’s calling on his life centered on winning men to Christ and he responded obediently by serving as an Ambassador for The Promise Keepers men’s ministry, initiating men’s Bible studies and establishing men’s accountability groups. He touched the lives of hundreds of men through these events and through his selfless giving of his time to mentor, coach and support men in their leadership roles as husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, servant-leaders in a church and members in a community.
Michael believed that legacies aren’t the result of wishful thinking, but a result of determined doing. His life reminds us that the legacy we leave is the life we lead—we lead our lives daily—we leave our legacy daily. The people we see, the decisions we make, and the actions we take are what tell our story. The final chapter in leaving a legacy is succession, and so to all the hearts Michael has touched he is passing the baton to you to continue the work of making a difference in the lives of others—to be an Ambassador for Christ. Mike was the ultimate husband, father, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed by all.
Remember Mike when:
• someone is never getting to the point when they tell a story
• you go for a bike ride
• the Gators are playing or you see Gators memorabilia
• you look up at the mountains
• a jet flies over
• you’re in waist deep powder
• a total stranger befriends you
• you see someone who provides unconditional love
By John Griego
