The problem

The problem with making a difference is trying to document it. The tricky thing about difference-making is you often don't know you've made a difference until long after the fact, if you ever know. All we can do is try. Try to make a difference by doing the right thing, going above and beyond, loving the people in our path, and obeying when we are told "Go." I believe the difference will come, but we may not ever know the difference we make in someone's life, or the world in general.

We just finished recital. I love this time of year because it is very easy to see the difference a year makes. The child who cried and wouldn't go onstage last year skips proudly onto the stage this year.The student who didn't know their dances last year or couldn't turn, etc.... has worked their tail off in the last 12 months, and now looks fantastic! But, perhaps my favorite thing to watch is the moms. Every year, we choose a few students to recognize. It is always a surprise, both to the student and the parent. They send their child backstage to "help" with something or other, clueless that their child is going to be called onstage and presented with an award. After the show, they come to pick the kid up from us, usually with tears in their eyes. They always thank us for the kind words said about their child, and for honoring them, but I always turn around and thank them for raising such a good kid, and for sharing their kid with us. It makes a difference to those moms that someone notices and cares that their child works hard and is a good student. And it makes a difference to me that they  are raising such a respectful, hard-working child. I love teaching the kids who work hard and want to learn, no matter if they are a natural talent or not. Kindness, respect, hard work, and caring make a difference in the world.

So I guess my point for the week is this: if we go around doing our best, being kind, and loving on people (because Jesus loved us and commands us to, and because it's fun!), we will ultimately make a big difference in the world. Because if we make a difference to just one person, it's a big deal. Stop being modest and arguing with me. You know I'm right. :)