In a world where the school dropout rate is increasing, bullying is rampant, human trafficking is growing, and where marriage has been redefined in most states, it’s easy to focus on the problems themselves, rather than finding a way to change our world. What if we could make a difference? Would you try?
I love sharing positive stories about others who are making a difference in their schools, homes, and communities. There are leaders everywhere making a difference by teaching others how to do the same . . . and what they do never makes the headlines.
Becky McDonald is one of those leaders. As a Character Ed. teacher at the Riverton Middle School, She teaches her students to make a difference by introducing them to many types of outreaches. Her students have raised money for cancer patients, made blankets for a domestic violence home, and put together Christmas shoe boxes full of items and gifts for our ministry’s Community Dinner. Every student collected boxes, the items, and wrapped the gifts. Several were able to come to pass them out to those in need.
This spring, an outdoor project was added. These same students desired to make our church, Trinity Worship Center, beautiful for those coming to eat every night. Last Wednesday, 67 youth and five teachers swarmed upon our church to plant flowers and shrubs, paint handrails, organize our food pantry and storage areas, and clean out refrigerators. They made a difference in our lives, the lives of our church members, and delighted those we serve meals to.
The first step in making a difference is to become aware of opportunities and to change your focus. When problems stare me in the face or hit me like a brick wall, I force myself to change my focus from helplessness to discovering what I can do. It doesn’t matter how large or how small. It doesn’t matter whether by yourself or a group. All of it makes a difference to someone and starts changing our world.
Does it inspire you to see young people reaching out in their communities?
Are their ways you can think of to make a difference in your world?
© 2015 – 2022, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
I would love to make a difference as a new member of the Lions Club. I would like to work in my community and am seeing just how I fit into the group to change outlooks in our community and toward blind people.
Dear Amy, Thanks for stopping by. I hav no doubt you will make a difference through your presence and influence in the Lion’s Club. You will be an asset with your great example of coping with vision loss. You’ll be in my prayers.
Loved hearing how this Teacher and her students made such a difference!! Keep the stories coming sister!!
Jena,
What a blessing these students were to our small church in Baxter Springs! Right away I noticed the beautiful pots with flowers freshly planted and the newly painted hand railing smelled wonderful! God Bless these students and teachers for giving of themselves and their valuable time to come spruce up our wonderful little church!
Pastor Robin
Yes, Robin, I pray continuous blessings upon these teachers and students for the blessing they wre to us.