12/29/25 This morning, while I was sitting in my car before going into work, I received a text message. The text came from a number that I did not immediately recognize. Luckily, embedded in the text was the sender’s name. The text read as follows:
“Hi Opal! This is _____ – I’m sure you remember me. I just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks. One night, at your place, you allowed me to ask tough questions about the Christian faith. You didn’t have all the answers, but you provided an inviting, loving, understanding, safe space to let out my thoughts. It may seem like a little thing to you, but looking back, this was one of the first dominoes to fall in my journey to becoming a believer. I needed that opportunity to speak out loud to think clearly. I spent months researching those questions and came to the ultimate conclusion that God is real. I’ve had a relationship with Jesus ever since and it has changed my life. I now…”
In a response text, the sender shared one of his favorite Dr Seuss quotes, “‘To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.’ I pray you live everyday knowing you helped change my life and knowing that every day you have an opportunity to change someone else’s.”
I was moved to tears. I cried… and then I cried some more. I have had a lot of people come into and out of my life over the past decade (e.g., career change, relocation, death, dating relationships that weren’t sustained, etc.). If this individual had not texted me, I may have never known how valuable the brief time we shared had been for both of us. We do not always get to see the fruits that come with planted seeds of listening, caring, loving kindness, and compassion. Sometimes, we may underestimate our own power, minimize the value we bring to the world, and/or question if we are even making a difference at all.
I am sharing this story because how you show up each day does matter. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference! Below are a few of my take-aways:
1. If someone has made a difference in your life, thank them. They might need a reminder of the value they bring to the connections they make in the world.
2. People might be in your life only for a season. It matters how you treat them when they are present. It will still matter when they are no longer a part of your current story.
3. Loneliness has a way of convincing people that they have no one. Yet, sometimes, that is not truth and people care more than we ever even realize. They care even when they are not physically present.
4. You might be changing lives and not even know it. Don’t give up on being a light in the world!
5. Relationships that are short lived may have served a purpose. A seed may have been placed for further growth or a lesson learned.
6. Everyone’s faith journey is different. It is okay to ask questions. It is okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay if it takes time.
7. Listening may be the greatest gift you can give another person.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” -Jane Goodall
“You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16
Simply Op 
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