you can make a difference

CHANGING THE WORLD

Changing the world doesn't require wealth, talent, or a huge investment of time.

Right now, you (yes, you), with your current limitations and abilities, have tremendous power to impact others.

Don't believe me? Have you ever had a day in which everything you touched went wrong? When you were at the end of your rope, did someone speak a kind word or help you out? Do you remember how it warmed your heart and perked up your spirit? Small, loving acts make a profound difference. Everyone longs to feel noticed and appreciated.

That's why it means so much when someone surprises us with a simple act of caring. It assures us that we matter.

Discouraged people are everywhere. They need you. Don't overlook opportunities to make a difference in someone's life. A smile, a note, or a phone call won't take much effort, but they can make someone's day. Not only will your kindness be appreciated by the recipient and rewarded by God, but it will enrich your own life too.

Many folks say, "I'm just one person. I can't make a difference." If you've ever been on the receiving end of a hug just when it's needed, you know one person's concern is powerful. Do you compare your contribution to a tiny drop of water in the huge ocean? Mother Theresa's view was that the ocean would be less without that one drop.

There could be no mountains, if not for the tiny grains of sand from which the mountains are made. Little things pack a big punch. Encouragement takes only a moment to give but it delivers an important message of love and concern to the recipient, and it could last a lifetime. Your empathy and time can lessen someone's load and make their life journey easier.

(author unknown)

I Believe in Compliments

We visited the 1st grade classroom of our grandaughter Larkin last week. Her teacher is Mrs. McPherson, an older woman, nearing retirement age. She was impressive with those little kids, most of whom were energetic little boys.

After a few hours observing we departed. I made certain I said to Mrs. McPherson how highly I appreciated her teaching, and mannerisms, with the children. Linda, my wife, did the same.

Mrs. McPherson seemed startled by our appreciative words. What she said implied that there were not many occasions in her life as a teacher that she had been rewarded with compliments and supportive feedback.

As we left Lincoln School we signed out. There we were greeted by the school Administrative Ass't/Receptionist. She smiled and bade us farewell. I told her "You are the most important person in this school. The person who meets and greets those who arrive sets the tone. And you are such a warm and inviting person." Of course she was very moved and denied her importance. Again I had felt compelled to leave a gift with a key person.

Later, along with our adult daughter and granddaughter Meggie, we visited a large Consignment Store. They specialize in taking in and selling used clothing and other items. I asked the woman at the counter if she was the owner. She said she was. Then I inquired about why she had gone into this kind of business. She answered that there was a need for it, and she believed in re-cycling and helping those with limited incomes. At the same time she affirmed that the present economy was actually helping her business (the price of every item is shared with the one who brought it in).

After further conversation I had to leave, but in parting I said to her "I really admire you for what you are doing." She looked surprised, but pleased. I think my words were a spiritual gift that made her life a little bit better.

These three examples represent a life plan: I believe that words of encouragement and appreciation are spiritual gifts. They are not merely nice tokens. They are acts of love. As acts of love they are in fact the touch of God. This is because God is love. Therefore an act of loving-kindness is a taste of God.

My intention is to thoughtfully notice people throughout every day, and offer to as many as possible and reasonable a "touch of love" which is a touch of God. I am confident no sentence will ever be wasted. They will all brighten the spirit of the recipient and in the process make their world, and our world, a better place.

World Brightening Behavior # 2

Make Eye Contact

Look the person in the eyes briefly, with warmth. Look at their face. Combine your eye contact with a greeting and a smile.

“The eyes are the windows of our soul,” the Bible says. We must look in them. To be looked at, personally, is medicine for the soul.

Comment: I had an interesting conversation with a Native American pastor, one of the persons we call “Indian”. He said his people, The Navajos, were not accustomed to making eye contact. He himself did, I noticed, but he explained that going to Fuller Seminary had changed him.

I wondered out loud to him, if lack of eye contact might be the result of being oppressed by others. That they may have been punished for making eye contact by foreign conquerors or even other Indian nations that had ruled them.

We agreed that it seemed as if eye contact was an appropriate human behavior, even Christian, that should be encouraged.

Who Believes Prayer Changes Things?

Who Believes Prayer Changes Things?


In a small conservative mid-western town, a new Tavern owner started building a facility in which he would operate his beer and wine service business. The local church took exception to this. Theuydid not want this business in their town.


The church started a prayer and written petition campaign to block the Tavern from opening. Construction work progressed however right up until the week of the scheduled opening. Then one night lightening struck the new place and it burned to the ground.


The church folks were shocked but pleased, of course.


Shortly after the fire the bar owner went to court and sued the church for the destruction of their building.


The church, of course, came to court and vehemently denied all responsibility, or any connection, to the demise of that building.


The case made its way through the legal system, and the judge to whom it was assigned said at the public hearing: “I do not know how to decide this. From what I have read it looks like the Tavern owner believes in the power of prayer but the church people don’t.”