Just one
What if you were never born? Yes, you! How would the world be a different place? What would the impact be? Have you ever thought of the value of one life before? How many people do you meet on earth?
Well, today I was pondering what difference just one person could make in the world. Of course I thought about some of the most influential people like Joseph Smith,George Washington, Martin Luther King jr, Rosa Parks, and Amelia Earhart. More recently, Seth Adam Smith, and Ben Arkell to name a few. ( if you don't know who these men are or what they have done check out these websites (http://sethadamsmith.com and http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBookofMormon2day) These people impacted thousands, and their influence continues to live on today in hearts and history books.
But what about an ordinary person who hasn't reached the famous status? How much influence can they have on the world? I thought about some of the most dear and influential people in my own life and I was truly humbled. My Father Alan Joseph Dewey was alive for only 42 years on this earth. As I contemplated all the people he came in contact with I couldn't even begin to count. You see, my Dad was married, he had 5 children, 2 sisters, 1 brother, 2 parents, several cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, teachers, and friends. He served in the Navy where he met others. He was a Scout master influencing the lives of several boy scouts. He held several callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Dad was an exterminator he spent his day meeting people, and talking with them. He served as a missionary bringing several including my mom into the church.
The way that he impacted me the most was by teaching his children the gospel. Two of us served as missionaries increasing the number influenced by his actions. Dad helped me to know who God is and how to communicate with him. He taught me the power of daily scripture reading. He taught me about service, and what it means to sacrifice. While he may not be a hero to many he certainly is to me! What if he would have never been born? Who wouldn't know about God?
Speaking of one individual making a difference, think of Jesus Christ! He gave everything for you and for I. He walked the roads of Palestine healing the sick, raising the dead, restoring sight to the blind. He taught the truths about eternity and our existence before we came here. He instituted the sacrament. He went about doing good but was despised for it. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind! His life was literally a gift to the world. Everything He did was for us!
What about you and I? I am drawn to the words of one of my favorite hymns. "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad, and made someone feel glad? If not I have failed indeed. Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When when they needed my help was I there?" (To hear an awesome version of the song go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIeA_5yYgB4) Well, was I? Were you?
What if we all lived our lives in such a way that the world was actually greatly impacted by our decisions? What if we allowed our one life to make a difference? I believe we can. I invite myself and all of you to do good and be good and bring about as much good as you can! If each one of us makes a difference in our own little piece of the world we will surely live in a better place!
Well, today I was pondering what difference just one person could make in the world. Of course I thought about some of the most influential people like Joseph Smith,George Washington, Martin Luther King jr, Rosa Parks, and Amelia Earhart. More recently, Seth Adam Smith, and Ben Arkell to name a few. ( if you don't know who these men are or what they have done check out these websites (http://sethadamsmith.com and http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBookofMormon2day) These people impacted thousands, and their influence continues to live on today in hearts and history books.
But what about an ordinary person who hasn't reached the famous status? How much influence can they have on the world? I thought about some of the most dear and influential people in my own life and I was truly humbled. My Father Alan Joseph Dewey was alive for only 42 years on this earth. As I contemplated all the people he came in contact with I couldn't even begin to count. You see, my Dad was married, he had 5 children, 2 sisters, 1 brother, 2 parents, several cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, teachers, and friends. He served in the Navy where he met others. He was a Scout master influencing the lives of several boy scouts. He held several callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Dad was an exterminator he spent his day meeting people, and talking with them. He served as a missionary bringing several including my mom into the church.
The way that he impacted me the most was by teaching his children the gospel. Two of us served as missionaries increasing the number influenced by his actions. Dad helped me to know who God is and how to communicate with him. He taught me the power of daily scripture reading. He taught me about service, and what it means to sacrifice. While he may not be a hero to many he certainly is to me! What if he would have never been born? Who wouldn't know about God?
Speaking of one individual making a difference, think of Jesus Christ! He gave everything for you and for I. He walked the roads of Palestine healing the sick, raising the dead, restoring sight to the blind. He taught the truths about eternity and our existence before we came here. He instituted the sacrament. He went about doing good but was despised for it. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind! His life was literally a gift to the world. Everything He did was for us!
What about you and I? I am drawn to the words of one of my favorite hymns. "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad, and made someone feel glad? If not I have failed indeed. Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When when they needed my help was I there?" (To hear an awesome version of the song go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIeA_5yYgB4) Well, was I? Were you?
What if we all lived our lives in such a way that the world was actually greatly impacted by our decisions? What if we allowed our one life to make a difference? I believe we can. I invite myself and all of you to do good and be good and bring about as much good as you can! If each one of us makes a difference in our own little piece of the world we will surely live in a better place!
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