Make an Impact

November 1 2019

Recently I attended a birthday celebration for an individual who turned 81 years old. She asked for the party so that she could receive her flowers while still here on earth. I was impressed with the huge turnout. This lady had accomplished quite a bit in her lifetime. She trained people musically for most of her life. Her students included award winning singers Marvin Sapp and Al Green. People came from everywhere to celebrate this milestone in her life and to say thank you for the impact she had on their lives.

When people got up to give reflections, the one theme that was common was how she encouraged young people to go to college and to reach beyond their self-imposed restrictions. Person after person told stories about how they had not planned to attend college, but when they met her that all changed. Many of these individuals went on to become very successful musicians, Broadway singers, educators, politicians, business leaders and owners. One man in particular told the story about how he had become a drug dealer and had no desire to attend college and certainly did not have the grades. He ran into the honored guest over 25 years ago at a hotel when he was dropping off drugs. She was part of a college recruiting team. When he walked by her, she asked if he was planning to attend college. He told her no because he did not have the grades. She spent time talking to him that day and convinced him to try. And he did. He went on to earn a doctorate and today is a prominent businessman in Chicago.

If she had never heard it before, she heard it all that night. People were grateful for the impact she had on their lives. As Christians, we should have that same level of impact on people. Our acts of kindness, love, compassion and generosity as representatives of Christ should be seen and experienced by those with whom we interact. Allow God’s love in us to impact others.