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Written by Michael Saunders Friday, 16 July 2010 11:42

I had the grand opportunity to talk to Rebecca’s Grandpa while on vacation and he was talking to me about a strategy that he had.  This strategy was his own idea – not something he read in a book or something someone else in the church was doing. What was this strategy? Well it had to do with a particular problem – the problem was the college age students. His church was smaller – so there was no college age group, the youth pastor at his church had recently left, and seemingly when the college students went off to college it was good riddance and see you later. Grandpa Williams, or Sid if you prefer first names, wanted to invest in their lives…but how? What could he do so far away from them?

This is where his strategy comes in. He told me, in his Long Island accent, “You know Mike, I just figured I would write our college students each week. I’d try to send a few bucks in the letter so they could have a meal on “Uncle Sid.” You know what happened? I’ve had all these college students coming back to church, thanking me, hugging me – and at my age it’s great having all these pretty girls giving you a hug! [Yes, he was joking!] The neatest thing though, is that I am now starting to get invited to their weddings, they’re asking me for practical advice/spiritual advice.”

I was floored! How awesome is that? Here is a man who just decided to do the little that he could. He’s by no means rich. He wouldn’t be able to travel to see each of these students, but he has decided to do the little that he could. And that little, like a cruse of oil, God multiplied.

I told him how excited I was to hear that and how great it would be for others in church to do the same – to look around, see a need, and then act. He replied, “You know, I can’t do that much anymore. I wish I could do more, but I just figured I wasn’t going to let my age stop me. I know my limitations, but I’m going to do all I can do.” He started telling me how he gets in early to set up the coffee, he greets people at the door, helps in other areas…it was a blessing to hear someone who has chosen to be faithful their whole lives and then chose like Paul to not stop.

The point is - anyone can make a difference in a life. The question then for us is, “Am I making a difference in a life?” Here he is pouring his life into youngsters…what are you doing? No excuses. What are you doing? Shouldn’t we all have compassionate eyes for the needs of those around us?

So what can you do? What solutions can you be a part of? Can you write a letter, make a phone call, or show up early? What is it? Write it down and make it happen.

Let’s move forward together,