"Making a Mark"

“Making a Mark”

 

Three of the best summers of my life were spent working at a Christian camp in the Catskill Mountains north of New York City. It was there the Lord called me into ministry. I also met Roger and Doug Hope, brothers who became life-long friends. During my second summer’s week of preparation before the camping season began Doug and I were assigned to paint the front of the main building. While on the make-shift scaffold I dropped a can of paint (fortunately only about ¼ full) onto the driveway. My “mark” remained there (albeit continuously fading) until the last time I visited the camp in the late 1970’s. I’ve gotten some laughs as I’ve retold this story (maybe with a bit of embellishment over the years).

As I was painting our garage door recently I dripped some paint on the driveway. (I know, I know—where was the drop cloth? Good question!) Anyway, this brought me back to the camp fiasco and other fond memories of those long-ago summers. Then it hit me: What marks have I left on people’s lives over the years? Have they lasted? I hope the good ones endured longer than the bad ones but since I’ve lost track of many people I’ve mixed with I really don’t know in many cases. (I did take a few moments to pray for those whose names I recalled.)

You and I are making our mark on those we encounter, often without our knowledge. Years ago a young couple attended our New Hampshire church for a few months before moving from the area. They would head for the door immediately after the closing prayer but I made the effort to speak to them as they were leaving. I lost contact with them but a few years later received an email that they were preparing to go to the mission field and one of the steps God used was my greeting them over those few months. I thank God for using me in a small way to make a mark in their journey. (I share this not to boast but to encourage you that little things can make a big impact.)

Jesus said, “…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). We’re all making our marks—may they make Him look good!

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan