Funny how things turn out, sometimes.I was driven to God because a relationship didn't work out. To understand what I'm going to tell you now about that relationship, you have to understand that I was head-over-heels, think-about-noone-else, spend-every-free-waking-moment-with, in love with Debbie Muncrief. We both played in band at Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas.
Before I graduated high school, it became very clear to me that in order to survive in the world (and get out of my parent's house) I would have to find some means of support. That's where the U.S.A.F. came in, as you have been reading. Unfortunately, I was NOT a positive influence for God in Debbie's life, but that went both ways. Her parents were divorced, and she lived with her mother and step-father; as far as I know, the only Christian influence she had at the time was her father. At one time, I had planned to ask her to marry me, but when the relationship got cooler and cooler, that idea faded. Nevertheless, my feelings for her didn't.
As the years passed, I thought of her often. I wondered how she was doing, if she ever married. I often felt very sad that she was no longer a part of my life, but my desire was for her happiness. Quite some time after I left home, grew up, married, got that job, etc. I came across a website that helps reunite high school friends, Classmates.com. I discovered by accident from a message her husband, Bobby, posted on ClassMates that she had married. I corresponded with her husband. At last, I knew! She was happy, (for which fact her husband Bobby will forever have a special place in my heart), and they had two children. From Bobby's perspective, she was an excellent wife. She was active in her church; I found out she had started the children's church where they attend. How great to hear that she had found Christ!
On October 22, 2001, I received a message from Bobby's sister who doesn't live far from to me. Debbie passed away early that morning. Words said about her after her death by the pastor of their church point to a woman who was determined to love and influence children, specifically, for God.
And so, it's both
terrifically sad and awesome at the same time.
Sometimes you get to see life come full-circle. I guess the 'moral' of
this story is: be aware that you have an influence everyone you come in
contact with for either good or bad.
Which type of influence do you have?
What type do you want to have?
Think about it...