Have you ever wondered if one life can really make a difference? Well one life can and does all the time! We were reminded of this recently. My husband heard from a person who was impacted by our family several years ago. He told my husband that we had taken him to a football game when he was a kid, he remembers playing with our son, and having fun at the game. He said it was one of his best days ever. We were amazed at this story for one simple reason...we barely remembered the day. How amazing that a normal day for us was an extraordinary day for someone else. I find myself wondering what we did that was so special. I may never know the exact answer to that question, but God used it to remind me that even when I'm not aware of it, my life can make a difference. I need to live my life everyday in a way that is pleasing and honoring to God. If I pray for God to help me do just that everyday and listen to what he wants, I will make a difference.
Another similar incident happened almost 20 years ago. Back in those days, my husband was a youth pastor, so we spent a great deal of time with teenagers; sometimes we were less than patient with them. One such time of impatience for me occurred on a trip to Valley Fair with our youth. The night before our big day at the park we were staying at a church and I was so tired. I happened to be laying on the floor next to a few girls who decided it would be fun to stay up all night. The next morning I none to happy with them and I decided to be their shadow that day. Anytime they looked tired, I forced them to walk to another ride, I didn't give them chance to rest all day. I was trying to teach them a lesson and I must say I did it with a pretty sour attitude! Several years later when God called us to another ministry I received a note from one of those girls. She thanked me for that day and told me how much it had meant to her. I was stunned. You really never know what or how your actions will touch people. God can even use a negative attitude for his glory!!
I've been thinking about the people in my life who have made a big difference in my life. I remember Lori, my youth leader in high school. Just watching her live her life impacted me. There wasn't one aha moment, but I was watching her. There was Maggie, the lady who stopped by to visit me right after Brian and I were married and living in seminary housing. She was such a sweet heart and she shared with me about life in the "fish bowl". Then there was Karen, she impacted me just by being a mother to her kids. I saw how they respected her and how she loved them. Watching her mothering style greatly impacted my own mothering style. She never told me what to do, she showed me! There are many more names I could list. People who may not have even realized the impact they had on me, each one of those lives was part of the puzzle to help me strengthen my faith and grow into who I am today.
How about you? Who in your life is watching? How can you make a difference? Remember it doesn't take much!
...nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16
