The influence of a single person.
The other day I thought about the influence someone had on my life. This person, through little effort helped shape part of my life. No, I'm not getting all spiritual here, I'm talking about real people.
So it got me to thinking about how one person, no matter how insignificant can change someone's world view, thought process, actions and path. Take one person you know from your past who you went to school with, or worked with that maybe got you interested in a particular field of work or special interest. Then take them out of the equation. What would have happened to you? Would you be someone different? Would you be working in a different field, attending a different church, married to someone else, better or worse off?
These thoughts point back at me and what I'm doing now. All of us are influencing others one way or another. I have to ask myself questions. Am I encouraging other people? Am I actively interacting with others and being an influence? Do I think I am insignificant? Do I fail to consciously influence people for better and not worse?
I can't imagine my life without my wife, kids and family. But there are also freinds from years gone by that influenced me heavily. Some that I don't even realize what influence they had over me.
Today I must remember that I am influencing others, and that one person makes a big difference in a life.
Too big.
This morning was like a lot of mornings. Declan is two years old and wanting to do more and more things. He has developed a habit of attempting to bring me the gallon of milk from the fridge. It's his way of asking for a glass of milk.
This morning Declan brought me the gallon of milk like many times before. It's always a struggle because it's pretty heavy for him. He comes into my office, shoulder slumped over on the heavy side. He says "It's too big."
"It's too big."
That's what he says and I take the gallon of milk and proceed back to the kitchen to get a glass. I say to him, "Sometimes there are things that are too big for kids, but not too big for dads."
And that's when God spoke those same words to me.