THEY HELPED RAISE ME!  

I think I mentioned in an earlier Blog that our young friend Chad Stogner came to our house and visited recently. He is going to Colorado State University to be trained in Chi Alpha now that he himself is a College Graduate. After we went to his Graduation Party back in May, he sent us a Thank You Card, in which he alluded to the fact that we had “Helped Raise Him.” It is true that we have known him his entire life, and for most of his life we attended the same church, but I never thought that we had given enough “input” to his life that he would think that we had “Helped Raise Him!”

Now, that in itself is intriguing, but about five years ago or so (at least I think it was about five years ago!) we went to the wedding of Kristin MacIntyre. Like Chad, we have known Kristin her whole life, and, for much of it, she attended the same church we did. As we went through the reception line and came to the newlyweds, she introduced us to her husband by saying, “This is Uncle Floyd and Aunt Chris … They Helped Raise me!)

Now, while this was heartwarming to both Chris and me, it got me to thinking about why these two young people felt as though we had “Help Raise Them.” It didn’t take too much cogitation on my part for me to realize a rather salient point: We have far more impact on the young people we encounter in our lives than we have any idea whatsoever!!!

I further realized that, unbeknownst to us, it was apparent that Chris and I had become role models to these young people, and they were taking away from what they saw in our lives building blocks that they would use in forming their own lives. Now, and this is where it gets really deep – – While these two young people shared how they viewed us, how many others feel the same way and we will never know about it?!?!?!

I know you may be thinking, “Well, Floyder, you and Chris have always been pretty ‘high profile’ in the churches you attend – – you should have expected that folks were watching you.” That probably is true, but I want you to think about this: If you are seen by people at all, they are watching you, too! None of us live in a vacuum, and none of us are invisible – – we are being observed whether we want to be or not!

The GOOD NEWS (YES, there is GOOD NEWS!), is found in Matthew 5:14-16 ¹⁴ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. As we “let our light shine,” we all may find ourselves in a position where someone will say,

“Oh, I know them, they Helped Raise Me!!!