Have you ever thought about the network of people that helped shape your life into the person you have become?

As I was pondering this question in my own life, countless faces popped into my head. I thought about my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, school teachers, Sunday school teachers and…the list could go on. I also thought of the people I’ve never met who go to another church and heard how I got sick, and then asked everyone in the church to pray for me and my family. Those faithful prayer warriors—they’re everyday ordinary people, people I’ll probably never meet until the Lord comes back. Those people are just as important as my Sunday school teachers.

As I reflect on the people that have challenged and helped me to grow into the young woman I have become, so many women come to my mind. For instance, the first one that comes to mind is my mom, Sindy. She has been my number one cheerleader, teacher and as I’ve grown she has become my friend. My Grandma Martha and Grandma Davison also have impacted my life. I love and cherish the time I get to spend with them.

In my elementary years, my third-grade teacher, Mrs. Nancy, would challenge me in school.  But she’d also spend time with me after school and take me out to eat and play board games.

My art teacher, Ms. Pat, I’ll never forget her sweet spirit when I didn’t quite get the painting like I wanted it. She would always say something like, “You are talented, you just need to keep practicing.” She encouraged me to never give up.

My sixth-grade Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Kathy, would always send me encouraging notes and was a good teacher. Her heart to see us grow in the Lord and serve Him was very evident. One of the reasons why I chose to help in the fifth-grade girls Sunday school class at my church was because of Mrs. Kathy’s heart to serve the Lord and help other girls grow in life. By the way, Mrs. Kathy still teaches the sixth-grade girls Sunday school class.

There are several single women that are an encouragement to me:  Angela P., April C., Lori F., Emily M., Susanna F., Julie W., and many others.  Their lives have shown me how to live a purpose-driven life with joy serving the Lord.

I could list several others but I couldn’t help but ask myself, who’s life am I influencing? Maybe it’s being a prayer warrior or being a friend or just writing a note of encouragement or giving a person something as simple as a hug.

Who’s life are you influencing? As a parent? As a teacher? As a grandparent? As a single person? As an employee?

We all are influencing someone.