I was reminded today of a man that I considered a friend and mentor who passed away several years ago. I received a message from someone about a house that the church he worked for had built for his widow and some things to do with it. I hadn't thought about Willie Sandlin in quite some time. Willie was one of the veterans of youth ministry who had been in the trenches for quite some time when I started my first job. I had known Willie for quite a few years by that time having heard him speak at several different youth rallies around Arkansas. I felt privileged on more than one occasion to get to sit down and pick Willie's brain and learn from him. He was a good man, and left a great legacy.
I don't know if Willie knows how much of an influence he had on me. We didn't get to talk often, usually it was two or three times a year. But, each time we did I listened as much as I could and was eager to pick up whatever he shared. I still use some of the things he taught me today.
Whether we realize it or not, we each have people that we influence, for good or bad. Someone is learning from us. What are we teaching? Are we teaching them worldly lessons or Godly lessons? Are we teaching them things that will help or hurt them spiritually? Are we teaching them things that will help them get to Heaven?
We all influence someone in our lives. I don't know who it is that I have influenced or who it is that I will influence, but I pray that I can be half the positive influence that Willie Sandlin was for me.
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