All good things must come to an end.  So my summer routine stops tomorrow with the beginning of school.  Feels like we just go underway with our activities and outings.  What looked so far away is now just a few hours from starting.  I did try my best to keep my autistic son entertained these last months.  This year it does seem like we did much better than in previous years.  Now it is the time for a new schedule.  Getting back to the normal school time approach feels like the start of a new year.  Some sociologists do count the start of the school season as the new year for most of us.  My first week promises to be busy.  Some of my time is reserved for catching up on stuff.  Some of my time will be spent doing church work.  The rest of my time is for getting a nap between those two activities.

Just a single thought for tonight.  Famous people are not always great and great people are not always famous.  I reflected on this while mowing today.  One of our long term members died yesterday.  He is one of my favorite people since coming here.  Things didn't always go smooth but that will not lessen his value in my eyes.  He is a great person from where I sit.  Being a person of influence is a great gift.  Perhaps that statement needs some clarity.  There are those whose influence is far in the negative area.  People like this just suck the life out of you.  You have those in your family, among your friends and probably go to church with a few.  So do not make the mistake that influence is only positive.  It is far too often moving in the opposite direction.  

We have more than enough negative people among us.  Where are all of the positive influence people?  Not every person comes by this talent naturally.  It can be a learned art.  Sometimes we will have to let go of a ton of baggage that weighs us down.  There may be sins to be confessed or hurts to let go.  We may have to spend more than our usual time reflecting on scripture.  God has to change our heart to view others as He does.  Only the truth of scripture will be able to make that transformation happen.  Becoming a person of positive influence may not be easy but it is essential in our spiritual life.  

God will work through us to make others better.  Our encouragement will be like cold water to a thirsty person.  Our kindness can be a balm to injuries suffered in life.  Our prayers can provide strength when another is at their weakest.  Our wisdom can offer guidance to one with great confusion.    All of us can be great by being a positive influence.  Here is the good news about doing that.  Even if our earthly life ends we can be assured our impact remains.  I find that comforting.  God does His work in us so He can work through us.  We may not every be famous for that but we can be great.

Bro. Trey