Recently I heard someone say that in three years no one will remember you. I am going through a season of change right now, and that struck me as quite depressing. I am the wife of a pastor, and we have been in ministry for nearly 30 years.
I am a teacher, and it just dawned on me that I have been teaching more than half of my life. This is staggering. I am a mother of two, grandmother to three, a sister, a daughter with an elderly mom, an aunt to one special nephew and three special nieces and spouses. But, no one will remember me after three years?
You and I are influencers. I say “you” because if you are reading this article, you probably are. We are not this because we necessarily aspire to be, but we are. You possibly, like me, have been in some sort of ministry for years or are at the beginning of it. Quite possibly, you have a profession that serves others. Quite honestly, it’s exhausting. Remember, I am going through a season of change, so my thoughts might be tainted in some way.
I say “It’s exhausting” because one might stop, look around, and say “What am I doing? Where am I going? Where is any of this going?” As a Christian since age 12, I would love to say that I never have my doubts about the many roads God has taken me down, but I do. I trust Him totally, but I do wonder. Did anything make a difference? Am I still making a difference if I ever have?
As these thoughts plagued my brain at 3 a.m., God brought to mind some sweet things. Precious moments if you will. If you feel the need to continue with me here, I would invite you not to dwell on any of these moments that God brought to my mind or think that I am trying to prove this statement wrong, but allow God to open this thinking and minister to your heart in case you have found yourself in this particular season also.
I recently turned 61. Some of my most precious students at my high school came by my classroom to wish me a happy birthday. I was out at the moment, so they found a cardboard box lid and made me a birthday card. According to their teacher, they were so disappointed that I wasn’t there. That cardboard lid will stay with me for the rest of my days. One of those sweet boys says that I am his teacher. He is in high school, and has had a host of other teachers since he had me, but I am still his teacher. The three-year limit of forgetting has passed.
I have one former student who randomly sends me messages on social media reminding me that among the teachers who made a difference.
My adult daughters want to hang out with me.
My older brother will randomly say, “I love you, sis.”
My youngest daughter works for a ministry that I was a part of years ago. That seed was planted in many ways, but when she was in high school and first learned of this ministry, I may have not been able to shut up about the unique way it tries to reach high school students for Jesus.
My oldest daughter is a teacher like her mom.
Before this begins to sound like the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” stop. Now your turn. You and I are influencers. Admit it. This is not a prideful thing, but an acknowledgment of a fact.
We all are influencers. All will make a difference for good or bad. God’s Word tells us that.
Unfortunately, this worldview that in three years many will not be remembered could be true; however, for Christ followers who are being obedient, it’s not. We must remember that we are part of a beautiful puzzle. Some days I am that piece that has no detail, and you have no idea where it fits, until it all comes together.
You and I will trust our Sovereign God. We will not venture to understand or allow ourselves to get discouraged when we don’t, but we will journey on, pray about His Will for today and obey. Find joy in serving and pray for God’s peace as you do. B&R