Whether we like it or not, what we do and say does impact others. People do watch us. Judge us. Make decisions about us. Some we unknowingly inspire; others we may unknowingly discourage.
As a child, mom would say, “Set a good example for your younger siblings.” But they sure weren’t following my footsteping example. They were too busy doing their own thing.
That’s why they were in trouble, and I was not.
As I moved into my early twenties, no one seemed to be looking at me or trying to imitate me.
Besides, I was shy, tentative, quiet, and never thought of myself as a leader. No one was choosing me to lead anything. Unless it was nominating me as a member for the: “How to Be Invisible in Social Settings Club.“
I quietly did what I did and didn’t think much about it.
Then one day when I was in my mid-twenties, my husband said, “Theresa, have you seen how you inspired Ann to go back to school and get her accounting degree?”
“What?” I said. Confused. She was someone I looked up to.
“She went back to school when she saw you were getting your graduate degree. You inspired her.”
Well, that was a new thought.
I thought we inspired others primarily through words. (Which I didn’t dispense many of back then.) And I thought we had to be of a more mature age (over 30) for others to look to us for guidance or inspiration.
But that’s not true!
I am guest posting at Blogs by Christian Women, Please keep reading over there and find out 6 things to remember when you think of the responsibility of impacting others.
Thanks for stopping by. Keep remembering what’s important.
Theresa
May link up at Kelly Balarie (#purposeful faith), Crystal Storms (#HeartEncouragement), Maree Dee (#Grace & Truth), Anita Ojeda (#inspirememonday), InstaEncouagements ((IE Link-Up), and Mary Geison (#tellhisstory).
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Theresa, what a great post. And I love your tips at the end. One thing you said reminded me of something people have encouraged my husband and me to do: Try to have a Timothy and a Paul in our lives . . . one person we are discipling or pouring into and one person who pours into/mentors us. I haven’t always had both in my life at the same time, but there is something that enriches us when we have those relationships in our lives.
Great post!
So wise Jeanne. We need people to mentor us, someone a few steps ahead to help us, and we can turn around and help those a few steps behind. I haven’t heard it called a Timmothy and a Paul model, but what a neat picture.
It is so true we have an impact on those around us. Heading over to finish your post. Thank you! Maree
We do impact others, whether we mean to or not. I think we will be surprised one day by how many people we impacted.
It’s often surprising to us when we discover we’ve influenced someone without having to say a word. But I’m often influenced by quiet people as much as ones who are more “out there.” 🙂
Me too, Lisa. I remember a women who made a big impact on my life as a teen. And she was a quiet type.
Enjoyed this, Theresa. I like all your points, but particularly love number 9. Keeping God in my story helps me not only make an impact on other people, but a kingdom impact. 🙂
By the way, there was an error every time I tried to leave a comment on your guest site.
Good to know about the error. Thanks, Karen. So true. When I keep #9 in the picture then it is not all about me allows the story to be written and changed.
Theresa, hi! And isn’t it the absolute best when we don’t even realize that we’ve had an impact or were a blessing.
Then He gets all the glory. It’s too easy for me to grab it for my own.
Yes, Linda, that really is the best. Love this idea.