You Could Be the One.

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 7^th graders in the same school.  For an hour the seniors spend time with the 7^th 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 7^th 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.