Mr. Johnson was my high school journalism teacher. He looked like he really fit in with a newspaper job. He looked like he came right out of some smoke-filled newspaper editorial office. The only thing he lacked was a cigar in his mouth and smoke encircling his head. He looked really old and gnarly. Of course, he was most likely my age now. But as a senior in high school, he seemed really old! And he loved giving us assignments to go find out about events at the school or interview people.
As editor for a semester, I wrote a column and really enjoyed it. Mr. Johnson was very encouraging and “empowered” us kids to do things we hadn’t done before. I still have a bound book of my editor columns. I hope that’s one thing my kids won’t throw away when I’m gone.
I really wish I could let Mr. Johnson know the impact that class had upon me. Although I didn’t become a real writer until ten years after I graduated, I’m confident his impact laid a foundation that fueled my desire to write. I know he would have been encouraged if he had known of that impact.
This past Friday, I had the privilege and joy of honoring Florence Littauer on her birthday. She was the first person who encouraged me in my speaking as I attended CLASS (Christian Leaders Authors Speakers Seminar) in 1984. I learned so much from her and now she is still empowering so many. If you have a desire to speak, I highly recommend attending CLASS (www.classeminars.org). Thank you, Florence, for your wisdom and guidance.
Is there someone who has had a good impact upon you and you’ve hesitated to let them know? What would the Lord like you to do about it? You may not always have the opportunity.
Here is my blog post from several days ago. When it reached me through the automatic email, it was scrambled. If you receive my posts by email, I apologize that it came through scrambled. Hope you enjoy it.
Who’s Rich?
Several years ago, I was seatedata tablewithsevenotherwomenfromthewomen’sretreatwhereIwasspeaking,Ienjoyedvisitingwiththeseyoungmoms.Eachoneintroducedherselfandthenwestartedtalkingaboutthegiftofhospitality.Sarahspokeupandmotionedtothewomanbesideher,“Nataliehasthemostamazinggiftofhospitality.Herhusbandmusthavehaditinmindwhenhebuilttheirhugehouse.Shejustmakeseveryonefeelwelcome.”
Thewomennoddedtheiragreement.Thenanotherfriendofhersoffered,“Natalie’shouseissoinviting,you’dneverguessit’s6,500squarefeet.”
Everyonenoddedtheiragreementagain.
ThenGinnyspokeup.“Itwassofunnytheotherday.Myyoungson,Kyle,andIweredrivinghomefromNatalie’shouseafterhehadplayedtherethatday,andsomehowwegotonthesubjectofwhowasrich.Iaskedhim,‘Whodoyouthinkisrich?’ andImentionedseveralfriends,includingNatalie.Foreachone,hesaidtheyweren’trich.ThenImentionedmysister-in-lawwhoisdefinitelynotrichandshehasa1,400squarefoothome.ButKylesaidshewasrich!
“WhenIaskedhimwhyhethoughtthat,hereplied,‘BecauseshehasaPlayStation.’“
Wealllaughed.Talkaboutaperspectiveofpriorities.ToKyle,whateverwasimportanttohimmadeapersonrich.
Andaren’twealllikethat?Eachofushasdifferentprioritiesandadefinitionofwealth.Whichjustmeansweeachcanfeelwealthyinwhatevercircumstanceweare.Therewillalwaysbesomeonewithmoremoney–andwithless.Howblessedweareifwe’recontentwithwhatwehave. With the Apostle Paul, we can say, “I have learned to be content…” (Philippians 4:11). I’m so glad he said “learned”!