Touching Lives

Have you ever gone back and reflected on just how much someone meant to you.  I’m sure that the majority of us have done that when someone passes or leaves our lives in one way or another.  I was forced to do that over a week ago when my Uncle Jim passed unexpectedly. 

Through the years as I’ve grown older I haven’t had as much contact with my Uncle Jim.  When I was a child, though, my family spent a good amount of time with my aunt and uncle and my cousins whenever we could arrange a time to do so.  I remember many times going down to their house in the Cincinnati area and spending time playing sports with my cousins.  But when he passed, I started to see Uncle Jim’s part in those times as well. 

I specifically remember one time throwing a football in the yard, though I honestly can’t remember who I was throwing the ball with.  I remember Uncle Jim coming home (probably from golfing!) and watching how I was throwing the ball.  He came up to me and asked me if I’d like to learn how to throw the ball correctly.  He then showed me the importance of the laces and how they helped me control the ball as it was thrown to the receiver.  In five minutes I went from throwing a wobbly duck in the air to a semi-crisp spiral.  I remember him encouraging me and then going into the house as it was obvious that I now had an understanding of the instruction and could advance from there on my own.

Now this might be a small blip on the whole of my life, but it really meant something to me.  He spent the time to fix something I was doing and to make me better at that one particular thing.  Since that day I’ve been able to throw a football well (although not always accurately!),and I will always credit him for teaching me that skill.

I mention this time in my life for two reasons.  Obviously the first is to honor a great man who was a part of my life.  The other is to use him as an example of what God calls all of us to do in this world.  We’re called to go out and touch other people’s lives for God.  God has all of His believers out here in the world touching people in big and small ways each and every day.  Maybe I only teach someone to look to God for answers, while someone else is touching that same person in building their walk with God, and another person is teaching them how to pray.  We all have a part, and each and every one of those parts is important.

My Uncle Jim understood that and knew that the little things he showed me at times would make me a better person for God.  He understood that, although he didn’t have a lot of time to spend with me, the time he did have was precious.  He did his part and is one of the many people in this world who have made me the person I am today.  God asks that each and every one of us keep touching the lives of those around us and that together we build up His kingdom.

My question for you today is this:  Whose lives are you touching?