The power of ONE

As I woke this morning, I could feel I was still in the in between. That place where you have one foot in and one foot out of dreamland.

For a moment it was as if I were watching a movie, observing characters as they went about the scene and then I was overcome with the emotions of the moment.

I found myself in a room, in a class with other writers. We were each taking turns presenting a piece of our story. I had just finished and as I was walking back to my seat, one of the ladies pulled me aside and said, “Thank you for starting “truth stands tall,” which in dreamland was the name of my blog.

As I returned to my chair, tears began to trail down my cheek. As in real life, I didn’t start a blog for anyone other reason than to capture my life, my feelings, my history. I never had any idea, let alone intention, that it would touch someone else.

Isn’t that true of so many things we do? We often go about our day, moving from task to task, working, schooling, child rearing, grocery shopping, thinking we are invisible, yet others are observing us more than we know. And the impact we have on one another is meaningful and important.

As I’ve just finished writing the book of Matthew (you read that right — I long-hand wrote out the Gospel of Matthew word for word — I highly recommend it!!) and in it a theme kept surfacing. Jesus spoke to the masses, sure, but the most meaningful lessons, the parables that stuck with me most, those were moments he shared with others one on one.

Christ’s most intimate conversations happened one-on-one and they were life changers.

Kyle Idleman, the head pastor for Southeast Christian church in Kentucky, wrote a book not long ago called “One at a Time.” This is the topic of the entire book. And it’s message collided with the Gospel I was writing. The truth struck me in such a way that I have been more aware of my one-on-one interactions.

I am taking time to smile more as I pass people. I’ve been making sure I acknowledge people I cross paths with. I’ve started friendly conversations in long lines. And let me tell you, as extroverted as I am, the check out line is not a place I normally feel chatty. In my busyness, I’m trying to be more present when someone needs my attention.

I am intent on seeing the one.

My dream felt like a powerful reminder to be more mindful of my influence on others. Every day, every interaction is a choice. It was also a reminder to use the gifts and talents God has given me, us, on behalf of others as much, if not more, than for ourselves.

I am thankful for the nudge.