Impact

Can you name someone outside of your family who had a positive impact in your life because they believed in you?

Who were they and how did they impact your life?

In high school, Libby had a meaningful spiritual experience at a summer Young Life camp. But months later she walked away from the commitment she made and went in the opposite direction.

Two years later, through a chance encounter with a Young Life volunteer, she was suddenly abandoning her summer job at Belk and heading west on a trip that would change the trajectory of her whole life. This young woman, Chris, saw something in Libby that caused her to include her and believe in her. She gave her respect and trusted her to become a leader in other kids’ lives. She will never forget the impact of this one person.

My first coaches had a big impact on my life. I couldn’t change my height, weight, or natural speed, but I could control my effort, so coaches taught me how to hustle.

But it was a high school Sunday School teacher, Tom Wilson who inspired me. For one thing, he was young, probably in his early thirties, married with young kids. He didn’t have to teach our class. He wanted to. His enthusiasm for God and for us became a model for how to live. I was still too much of a knucklehead in high
school to fully appreciate Mr. Wilson, but it was not long before his example bore fruit.

Who had an impact in your life?