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Difference a Butterfly Wing Makes

Visiting with a couple today who knew my friend Nate Walls for a short time left me with much to think about.  After spending some time sharing memories, the young lady had tears in her eyes.  She talked about the difference he made in their lives with his life, his stories, his compassion and his teaching- being a mentor and friend. Nate influenced people's lives. 


Influence according to the dictionary is the power to affect persons and events.  Basically to make a difference in those whose lives connect with mine.  Positive or Negative.

Did you know that even introverts have influenced over 10,000 people in their lifetime?

It is sobering to realize that we have the opportunity and privilege to make a positive difference in others' lives everyday!!!  Sometimes it's direct influence on a person and others it is because of the domino effect.  Have you ever heard of the butterfly effect of Edward Lorenz?  My translation is that small differences make huge changes.  

Can one smile or kind or hopeful word change the path for someone's life?  Can just living my life-make a difference?  What if that was all I did?  Let's go fly!

“A man is always better than he thinks.” -- Woody Hayes, College Football Coach

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 30, 2010 at 10:19 PM

    "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains."
    -2 Timothy 1:16 (HCSB)

    What is a VRP? It is a Very Refreshing Person. These people breathe life into the ordinary and transform it. As lifters, they have an ability to bless others and bring words of encouragement.
    This is a short clip from fcaresources.com/devotional/2010/09/02/ruavrp
    If we can all focus on being more of who GOD is then we to can become more like Onesiphorus and be a light in the dark even though we were once covered in sin and held by its chains. Oh what a glorious day when that was all taken from me and the gift of my freedom in Christ.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather Ann GillOctober 2, 2010 at 12:06 AM

    You Very Refreshing Person! That is awesome. Thanks for sharing. What an amazing statement in Timothy. "He often refreshed me..." A light in the darkness. Reminds me of tonight on the interstate. hmmm I'll have to write about that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kerri and LaneOctober 5, 2010 at 10:45 PM

    I love the comment about "Sometimes it's direct influence on a person and others it is because of the domino effect." - Just how wonderful would our world be if....we followed the Golden Rule set forth by God?? Just imagine! If we respected and "loved" each and every person enough that we could allow them a bad day without allowing ourselves to follow them right into the "bad day"...or to share the goodness, compassion and mercy with others as it has been given to us to encourage a "good day".

    ReplyDelete

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