Sharing the Gift of Jesus

During a recent phone conversation with my mother she told me that Janice Anderson, one of my elementary school teachers, had died and asked if I remembered her. I said, “yes, fondly.” “My fourth-grade teacher.” I said, “No.” my mother said, “Third grade.” So I got out my report cards – yes I still have them – and my mother was right. (I should have known. She is always right.) Back to Mrs. Anderson. I remember her because she saw in me, a shy speech-impeded boy, intelligence and potential and, more importantly, worked with me to bring that out. I can also remember her as a teacher who listened to me, treated me with respect, and counseled me about many things. She helped me see that my parents also struggled and wanted the very best for me. She was one of the many giants in my life who shaped me into the person I am.

I could go on and tell you about many of those people who helped shape me, school teachers, my college philosophy professor, my CPE supervisor, and friends that I have met along the way. It would be a long list of people who others may not even remember. But, for me, they were giants in my life. They were not perfect people. I can remember how some even disappointed me at times. Soon after the above conversation with my mother, I received a letter from my mom. It was a short note from her and the obituary of Mrs. Anderson. There I learned more about her and remembered the last time I saw her, she was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beloit, Wisconsin where I helped out after graduating from seminary. I used the time to tell her what she had meant to me and to thank her. She just said she was just doing what she had dedicated her life to do – teaching children.

How about you? Do you have giants in your life? Were there people who shaped you into who you have become? Can you still hear them? Have you had the chance to thank them? More importantly, have you followed in their footsteps and become a giant in someone else’s life? If you are like Mrs. Anderson, you have by simply doing the tasks that God has given you. As the giants in my life have influenced me because they were truly interested in me and my future. They gave advice, shared parts of their own lives, and challenged me. They were good disciples of Jesus. Look into your own life and commit yourself to touching the lives of those around you. Show them love and care so that they will be touched by Jesus through you as you were touched.

Peace,
Pastor John