Impact

Written by cycleguy on July 10th, 2013

I figured my posts this week have all had a common theme so I thought would continue that streak.   We all have a story.  Here is one from the late Tim Hansel’s book You’ve Gotta Keep Dancin’.

Dear Tim,

I’ve just finished reading an interesting little book called When I Relax I Feel Guilty.  It’s not bad for a former gym teacher. What amazes me, though, is I’m still learning and being encouraged by that same gym teacher, ten years after I graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School.

I may not be burned deeply into your memory, Tim, but you are in mine. And now that you’ve surfaced once again in my life, I thought I’d let you know that.

I remember the first day I had you for P.E. when I was a freshman in 1966.  We all had to run the 600-yard dash and I didn’t want to.  I was always coming in last, no matter how hard I ran (and I always ran as hard as I could).  But this one was different.

Oh, I still came in last-by about 150 yards, as I remember.  But I remember you running along side of me that last 100 yards yelling, “Good effort, Lou!  Great effort!  Absolutely magnificent…”

I felt like I’d won the Olympic Gold Medal for the marathon.  And I became totally devoted to you because no one had ever encouraged me like you.

The next year I was your manager for the soccer team, a position I took the following year- in spite of the fact you had left to circumnavigate the globe-but left the next year to play fullback for the JVs…when you returned.

And I would (have) never had the courage to do it, if it had not been for your example.

Well, that was more than a decade ago.  I went to college and majored in journalism because my senior English teacher told me I had no ability as a writer (I never liked him much and I had become fascinated by things I supposedly could not do).  All through those four years I held your example in my mind, looked for possibilities and wondered-often-how you always managed to be so positive all the time.

Five years ago I met Jesus and figured you out.   (p.134-135)

One of the most exciting things about the life of a Christ-follower is we will never totally understand it.  One of the most exciting things about Jesus is we will never totally understand Him.  I’m glad of that.  It makes for that much more of an adventure.  And it leaves something worthy of being left behind.

Let me wrap up this “surprise” series with a question:  are you living a life of adventure, one that never gets old?  I know there are detractors, but there is no better life than one lived with Jesus. 

 

18 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    Nice story and nice letter. I don’t really have any heroes in my life, but I sure have some folks who inspired me and mentored me along the way that I will always remember.

  2. The adventure in my life has picked up over the past year. I think much of it is because I have a better outlook through Christ than I did before.

  3. Following Christ is an adventure… so is loving my bride as Christ loved the church. Loving and raising my kids to see and accept the love of Father God is an extension to that adventure.

    In my opinion… I know no greater one.

  4. Tammy says:

    Love this! Gonna share it with staff here.

  5. Nancy says:

    There has never seemed to be many dull moments in my life and I do crave adventure. I married an opposite and demanded he do the adventures with the family when he would rather stay home. Repeating to him, ” you only have your children under your wings for a very short time, now is our time .” I did not know how true that was when our son died at 19. Then followed some devastating details that really knocked this naive young lady down hard but I came up fighting and spitting nails.

    Many times I have been called to be stronger and smarter than I ever realized I could be with life giving us so many hard hits. I have been determined to not let life pass me by, thinking I would never live to my present age. I still love adventure and don’t let any chance of it pass me by but since I have survived all of my worst fears, I now have a great peace within me. I still get mad, irritated, disappointed and many of those emotions that used to knock me off my feet, just for a moment but now I have no fear. I feel Jesus is very close to me at the moment and I’m sure I’ll find out why sometime but I have no fear because I know he will get me through it no matter how tough the adventure.

    I’ve traveled extensively and had numerous, exciting, enjoyable adventures but none even compare to the dramatic adventures (or more likely devastating) that have been thrown at me as a daughter, wife, mother, daughter in law and old lady. I always come out on top with my faith.

    • cycleguy says:

      I am so glad you and Gary are friends first and part of OVCF Nancy. It is fun watching your zest for life and its adventure motivate you. Thanks for being part of our (mine, Jo’s and OVCF)lives.

  6. floyd says:

    How I love to hear those kind of stories! One life changed can change so much.

    The gift of encouragement is one of the finest gifts I can imagine. It is grounded in true love – love in action, and I believe is the heart of our Father.

    There is no such thing as failing unless you quit trying…

    • cycleguy says:

      That is why I shared that story Floyd. The power of one life and its effect using encouragement. Thanks. And I agree with your last statement.

  7. Betty Draper says:

    God has led us into one adventure after another. And it’s adventure that has eternal value. I say this because at my first writers class I met a lady whose life has been filled with traveling, she speak 11 different languages but her belief system has no eternal value. Her life is defines by her adventure, not God’s. When she first started talking it was interesting but empty, only information about her and all the places she had traveled. My newest step of faith is this writing class. I on purpose wanted to be around lost people so I could share about the Lord. This well educated, well traveled woman who believes in not killing even a little bug because when she dies she may come back as a bug. Not only will I learn something but the Spirit of the eternal God walked into that writers circle with me. Pray God give me favor with this woman and others in the class.

    • cycleguy says:

      That is fantastic that you want to be involved in something in order to better yourself, but to also have an impact on someone else. I am so glad you have not rolled over and played dead. 🙂

  8. Love that story. Isn’t it amazing the impact our encouragement can have on others?

  9. David Rupert says:

    I really loved that book. I never really want to figure it all out. A little bit of mystery suits me just fine.