The Impact of a Single Life

Have you ever wondered if you're making a difference?  When you look around the corner, around the world, at all the people in pain, all the kids without parents, all the people who are struggling with their lot in life?  Have you ever asked "what impact can I make?"  I have.

Last week a dear friend of mine lost her father too quickly to the villian known as cancer.  As I had the honor of serving her family and being by their side during this difficult time, I was continually humbled at the outpouring of love from not just friends, but from the Carmel, IN community to the entire family.

Mr. Akin was the principal of an elementary school for more than 20 years.  For almost as long he helped coach the girl's high school soccer team (who in 12 of those years won the state championships).  He was a mentor; he was a friend; he was an influencer and impacter on thousands of lives, and so much more.

Last week those students and parents from the last 20+ years, and people who had crossed his path just through living life, poured out their appreciation and respect for this single life.  For more than six (6) hours a steady line of people flowed through the funeral home saying their thank you's and farewells.  (I don't think the funeral home knew what hit them!)  For the trip to the cemetery, additional police escorts were called in to accommodate all of the cars.

I can't even begin to share how many stories I heard of the difference that this single life had made in the lives of so many. From hopping on a plane to visit injured players to "just" being a shoulder to cry on - this was an impact player in the game of life.

The name "Into the Field" came to be because we believe that we're all called to go out into the field and serve, and that the field for each of us is going to be different.  For Mr. Akin, the first priority field was his family.  Right behind that were his school and the soccer field (many, many, many soccer fields).

Whether you're serving around the corner or around the world, please don't forget the impact that YOU, a single life, can make.  Thank you, Mr. Akin, for reinforcing that to me!  You will be missed.