{"id":2647,"date":"2012-05-30T07:59:12","date_gmt":"2012-05-30T11:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=2647"},"modified":"2012-05-30T07:59:12","modified_gmt":"2012-05-30T11:59:12","slug":"the-influence-of-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2012\/05\/the-influence-of-one.html","title":{"rendered":"The influence of one"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>As they entered the bus, everyone was happy and excited to be going home. \u00a0Even though the four days at The Special Gathering spiritual retreat had been great fun, the members who attended were nearly as ready to go home as the volunteers. \u00a0Special Gathering is a ministry within the mentally challenged community. \u00a0We form to evangelize and disciple people with intellectual disabilities. \u00a0Almost glowing from the time of fun and fellowship, it was the normal chatter that filled the large bus transporting them back to First United Methodist Church of Melbourne, our drop-off spot.<\/p>\n

Yet, one young lady began gripping almost immediately after embarking the vehicle. \u00a0She especially didn’t like the way that I was trying to get everyone quiet so that I could take the final checks, to insure that everyone was on the bus. \u00a0She mumbled in a loud voice, “I’m sick and tired of her yellilng at all of us!” \u00a0Her sour face frowned back at me from the back of the bus with every name that was called. \u00a0From the back bench, The Grumbler had positioned herself so that seven people were directly next to her.<\/p>\n

As I drove my car back to the church, I was reviewing the good time we experienced during the four days. \u00a0So many lives had been touched for the Lord.<\/p>\n

It was Ashley’s first retreat. \u00a0She and her friend, Terri, had stayed up late each night giggling and teasing. \u00a0They shared boyfriend jokes and laughed at me when I did something stupid. \u00a0Ashley had come to the altar for prayer when the invitation was given.<\/p>\n

Eric came expecting a good time; and the Lord met him. \u00a0I overheard him asking probing and interesting questions of volunteers. \u00a0The inquiries seemed beyond his intellectual abilities. \u00a0But the volunteers kept the answers simple; and he went away rubbing his chin and grinning with satisfaction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ashley, Terri and Eric were among the seven travelers facing The Grumbler.<\/p>\n

The bus arrived at the church ahead of me. \u00a0As quickly as I could, I dispersed the medications to parents and caregiver and got on the bus to dismiss everyone. \u00a0As each person got off the bus, I noticed their tone and attitude had completely changed. \u00a0There were no smiles. \u00a0No thank you’s. \u00a0No one gave me the usual hugs. \u00a0 “I hate camp.” \u00a0More than one person mumbled. \u00a0“I’m never coming back.” \u00a0I was shocked. Then I looked at the back of the bus and realized The Grumbler stared at me. \u00a0Her arms and legs were crossed. \u00a0But now, she was smiling slyly.<\/p>\n

Ashley said, “Everyone was yelling and calling each other names on the bus. \u00a0I don’t want to come back.”<\/p>\n

Eric was so completely agitated that he wasn’t able to talk. \u00a0He stomped and fumed, yelling at anyone who dared to look at him. \u00a0Of course, the volunteers had come to the church. \u00a0 They anxiously waited to see all the campers for the last time, expected the hugs and warm good-byes we get each year. \u00a0But this year was different. \u00a0The Grumbler had made her conquest. \u00a0Her smile said to me, “I won!”<\/p>\n

I ignored her, trying to camouflage my deep disappointment. \u00a0After everyone left, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, “Never discount the influence of ONE, for good and for evil.” \u00a0Of course, we have often seen how one person can pour buckets of ice water on a meeting or experience. \u00a0But the Lord was saying, “…for good and for evil.”<\/p>\n

Driving away, I quietly prayed, “Lord, I’ve too often been The Grumbler. The Spoiler. \u00a0And, somehow, I felt it was my Right. \u00a0Help me in every situation to be the influence for good in the lives of others. \u00a0Let me be the blessing, not the curse.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As they entered the bus, everyone was happy and excited to be going home. \u00a0Even though the four days at The Special Gathering spiritual retreat had been great fun, the members who attended were nearly as ready to go home as the volunteers. \u00a0Special Gathering is a ministry within the mentally challenged community. \u00a0We form…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,5,20,3,40,186,49,16,4,41],"tags":[690,21,688,7,699,715,701,694,6,700],"class_list":["post-2647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-camp-agape","category-christianity","category-church","category-developmental-disabilities","category-faith","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","category-simple-truths","category-spirituality","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-hope","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-simple-scriptural-truths","tag-spirituality"],"yoast_head":"\nThe influence of one - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2012\/05\/the-influence-of-one.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The influence of one - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As they entered the bus, everyone was happy and excited to be going home. \u00a0Even though the four days at The Special Gathering spiritual retreat had been great fun, the members who attended were nearly as ready to go home as the volunteers. \u00a0Special Gathering is a ministry within the mentally challenged community. \u00a0We form…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2012\/05\/the-influence-of-one.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2012-05-30T11:59:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/files\/2012\/05\/SCAT-bus.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Linda G. 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