In a conversation with a friend about what it is that he is
passionate about, I asked him how he
became passionate about that one thing.
He loves to learn. Why? Early on in elementary school one of his
teachers told him he was smart.
I am in awe that one
person can make such an impact on another.
I’m not shocked, because I’ve heard the saying mentioned in different
words many times. “It only takes one
person…” It usually starts like
that. Over time I have found the saying
trustworthy and quite important.
One person can affect individuals both in positive and
negative ways. I’ve experienced both,
sometimes by the same individual. What I
find to be even more awe-inspiring is that one
person can ignite passion and vision in another. When my friend was told that he was smart his
passion for learning was ignited.
His telling me that one significant piece of information
made me curious about my own passions.
Rather, it reminded me of why I decided to go into elementary
education. It was that one person that ignited my passion.
My passion for teaching was ignited in the most
unpredictable of ways. I was a senior in
high school, and ready to soak all of my senior year up. Two study halls, independent art, pre-calc.,
(I love math), work study, design class, and leadership mentoring. The ultimate “senior slacker” year. Mmhmm.
Everything was going pretty well, and then in my leadership
mentoring class they needed someone to help in the special education
classroom. Lets rewind a bit. Leadership mentoring is a class that connects
seniors and 7th graders in the same school. For an hour the seniors spend time with the 7th
graders during their study hall. They
help them with homework and talk with them about life. It was supposed to be another slacker
class. Hang out with some middle school
students then go to lunch. I didn’t
expect to help out in the special education classroom. I didn’t expect Seth.
During my time in that classroom I met one 7th
grade boy with Down Syndrome. I was told
to work with him, help him with classroom projects, spend time with him
basically. He changed me. When he said my name my heart smiled. Whenever he accomplished something, small or
big, we celebrated the victory together.
Through my experience with Seth my passion for teaching was ignited.
This past year Seth passed away. I am so blessed to have known him and to have
walked life with him for a year. I
wonder if he knows that God used him to show me my passion for teaching. I wonder how many others have been impacted
by Seth the way I was. I wonder if Seth
knows the joy he brought to people’s lives.
When I heard that he had passed away I was
heart-broken. But looking back I am glad
that I was heart-broken. It showed that
he had made a lasting impact on my life.
He was that one person for
me. I had the privilege of knowing
him. I was truly blessed by God through
Seth.
I am in awe of the way God can use others to breath life
into us. So who was it or is it for
you? Maybe it’s not a person. Maybe it was something that happened and
after that you were changed for the better, for God’s Kingdom. Whatever it was or who it was take a moment
to remember. For, you may not know it, but God is using
you to ignite passion in those around you.
It only takes one person.
