February 14th is the day the nation celebrates Valentine’s Day, the day of love, but it is the day we celebrate my birthday. On your birthday, when you turn a year older, you might think about your life and wonder if you’ve made a difference in the world. I’ve already started thinking about this.

Two weeks ago we got a telephone call on a Sunday afternoon from our 9 year old son Steven’s principal from school. His teacher had died suddenly that morning and they were calling all the kids’ parents to ease the shock of the children finding out at school.

Her death gave me a lot to think about.

Steven wanted to go to the Memorial Service and I took him. The church was completely full, at least 300 or more in attendance, and the pastor had made mention that there were probably 300-400 that had been there for the viewing that afternoon. As I looked around I could see there were children from her 4th grade class, older children she may have taught in the past, co-workers from the school, church family and friends, family members and more. I thought to myself that she must have made a difference in many people’s lives. I hoped that before I died I could make a difference in people’s lives too.

As I was speaking to another teacher earlier that day she mentioned how it was strange that one day you go to work and talk to another person and the next day you go to work that person is gone. It made me think about how many people we see in a day that we can share the gospel with and don’t. I thought about how often God gives us a chance to make a difference in someone’s life and we won’t take the opportunity. What if that opportunity was that person’s last chance to hear about the salvation power of Jesus and we didn’t even smile at them? What if the last words they heard coming out of our mouths were angry words to the cashier in the grocery store because their register mischarged us or to the teller at the bank because we had to wait a long time in line?

We should remember the scripture from Proverbs 27:19 NIV, “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” As we look into the mirror and see what we look like on the outside, our attitudes and actions reveal what we are like on the inside. And since “when someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 TLB, then we should act accordingly. “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22-23 TLB.

The Holy Spirit can give you the kind words to encourage and edify the cashier and He can give you the patience while waiting in line to know that there is a reason you are there. Remember that we, “who belong to Christ have nailed our natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:24-25 TLB. It may be a smile, or a kind word, or just understanding when someone is having a rough day. It may be sharing the gospel with a complete stranger. You might even feel led to share a copy of this publication with a stranger but it could be the last thing that person reads before his or her life ends. And in “The End” they could give their life to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and trust Him for the help.

Anna Louise Perry wrote:

I stand at the threshold of an open door. What lies beyond only God knows. But to my heart comes the realization that what is beyond will be the complete fulfillment of why I am here. The way that I have come over many winding roads and through many experiences not understood, shall be revealed. I shall go forth in the power and might of the Holy Spirit. All men shall know that God has been and is with me. Selah

As we stand at the open doors of our homes, ready to depart somewhere into the world, we should pray that we could be a blessing to someone that day – that in whatever we have gone through and overcome in our lives we can help someone and make a difference in their life.

I pray that no matter where I go people can see God in me! But even more, even in the privacy of my home, I pray that God can see Himself in me!

In memory of
Miss Patricia Green,
who departed this life on
Sunday, January 23, 2000.
Thank you Miss Green
for making a difference
in my life too.

I just want to thank each one of you who have called or written and shared a testimony of how this booklet has helped you or someone close to you. It has made me feel that I have made a difference. As long as I remember I am just a pebble, (see When Change Comes, January 2000) being dropped in the jug, doing my part to help the water rise, then I am making a difference! And you can make a difference too – be a pebble.