A tribute to Laurelye...

Have you ever asked yourself if you are making a difference?

We work so hard...we plant so many seeds...but often, we are not present to see the results.

Her name was Laurelye. She came to church with her great-grandmother.

I taught her in Sunday School (pre-school), Children's Church, VBS, etc.

She was around 9 years old when I last saw her.

She and her family moved away, our church went through some difficult times, and many of our members moved on to different churches...myself included.

It was 3-4 weeks ago when I heard the horrific news that Laurelye and her father had been killed in a car accident. She was only 14 years old.

I have thought of her again and again, and my heart breaks each time I think of her. I can see that sweet, shy little girl in my mind as if it were just yesterday.

A few weeks have passed since this terrible news; however, yesterday, Laurelye's great-grandmother (who joined the same church as I) came to me and told me how much she appreciated all I had poured into Laurelye.

She spoke of spending time with Laurelye each Sunday, and she would share all that she had learned in my class.

She spoke of Laurelye's half-brother, Gibson, whom I had also taught.

She shared how he, too, had accepted Christ and how he had led both his mother and father to Christ.

How wonderful is that?

Someone; who is experiencing one of the most terrible ordeals in life...taking the time to thank me...a teacher, a leader.

She said that knowing Laurelye is in heaven is the only thing that helps her carry on through this extremely difficult time.

Are you making a difference? You MOST DEFINITELY ARE!

You may not hear it often, you may not see it, but you ARE making a difference.

Each time a child accepts Christ...YOU were a part of that decision!

When a child is led to Christ by their parents, Pastor, or camp leader...YOU had a part of that.

You planted seeds...that grew and helped lead that child to Christ!

Rejoice for you ARE making a difference!

We are sometimes thanked for hosting events or doing fun things with the children; however, many do not realize that these activities are just a means to an end.

If we can't get them to come, we can't plant those seeds!

Get them in...whatever it takes! Plant those seeds...and rejoice.

It doesn't matter how successful your event is or how many attend.

In fact...if only one little Laurelye shows up...plant those seeds...it DOES make a difference...an eternal difference.

I debated whether or not to share ...but Laurelye has a testimony to be shared and her story is one of encouragement for all. We never know when the Lord will call us home

Keep going...little lives are depending on YOU!