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The Influence You Have On Others
Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.
Napoleon Hill
You may never know the influence you have on others.
Our words and actions matter, and they have an impact on others even when we don’t know it.
Let me show you what I mean.
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a complete stranger. I want to share the email with you with names removed.
Hi Jon,
I was cleaning out my desk at work yesterday and came across a highlighted note on my bible study notes pages from last year. It had a note out to the side that said “contact this person and tell them that they have made a difference.” I made this note after walking out of a lunchtime bible study with a man [from another country]. He mentioned that this blog (Jon Stolpe Stretched) was introduced to him by a friend in Philadelphia and was one of the reasons he was interested in learning more about Christianity. He also mentioned the kindness his friend in Philadelphia showed to him was an influence. Our conversation never went into details, I just asked him what influenced him to come to the bible study. He left the company that I work for in San Antonio, Texas shortly after this encounter so I was not able to follow-up more with him. This man is now back in [in his home country] and I have lost track of him but I will always wonder if he ever turned his life over to Christ or influenced others to do the same.
I had no idea what your blog was about but I did know that it positively influenced someone that I met and caused them to want to know Christ. Thank you for that influence and sorry for not telling you sooner.
After work yesterday, I pulled up your blog and really enjoyed reading the content. If you lived in Texas, I think you would fit in really well. When I clicked the “parenting” section, I saw a nice article about sending your child off to college and this hit home with me because I just sent two of them off myself. I have a daughter that is a senior at Texas A&M University and she wants to be a full-time missionary when she graduates. My son is a freshman this year at Messiah College in PA. When I saw that your daughter was also going to Messiah, I could not believe it. I promise that my original intent was only to write and encourage a brother in Christ to keep up the good work but I also thought it was neat that our kids go to the same school. Maybe we can meet sometime at a parent event in Grantham.
God Bless,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
When I read this email, my heart warmed inside. I’ve been writing my blog for over 9 years. While I write the blog in part for me, I also hope my words will encourage others. Admittedly, there are times when I wonder if anyone reads my words and if my words are really stretching anyone. This email reminded me to keep writing – to keep sharing my reflections here for others and for me.
My words matter. And so do yours!
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14