Influence

While reading the scripture lessons for today, the word influence popped into my head; not an actual word that I read rather one that just came - the word itself and lots of tangential thoughts. How do I influence others - others in regard to faith that is? Where, when, why, and how can I know if I do or don't?

I suspect the word had something to do with having just joined the bloggers at High Calling Blogs. In joining, I found that the premise of the site involves blogging about one's life wherever that might be or encompass - workplace, home, sporting event, reading, etc. In blogging about a favorite subject or pastime, I am encouraged to be aware of how and where God touches my life - with the site proclaiming that we are with God and representing God every moment of our lives - at home, in the workplace, online, wherever we are. In that vein, I wonder where am I influencing others or convincing others of God's presence in my life and in influencing them toward God's presence in their own lives?

Surely on a daily basis the first creatures I greet each day, or maybe I should say who greet me are my dogs - Sheltie Andy and Westie Riley. They greet me expecting attention, food and water. That attention I would characterize as a circle of love from me to them to me. They expect a warm greeting - they give and receive a warm greeting, neither fearful nor intimidated by my presence. They expect consistent behavior from me and that I'll receive and give back the joy they give to me.

Do I cultivate this same circle of caring and warmth with the next creature I meet - my sleepy-headed, non-verbal spouse? I hope so. I honor his need for silence in the first hour of waking and generally greet him with love, expecting that same love in return. He respects my a.m. needs as well and has willingly (well sort of) ceded the larger bathroom in our home to me as his gift of caring - honoring my desire for separate - not necessarily equal space.

Out the door and into the YMCA for a workout, am I pleasant when greeting the staff behind the desk, my fellow exercisers, the slooooow parkers in the parking lot? Clerks in the supermarket, fellow shoppers that take a long time in completing their transactions, or hurried customers behind me with one or two items, tellers at the bank? How do they know me - my manners, my facial expressions, my smile, my voice? My fellow citizens, neighbors, church goers? I influence all of these encounters in some way - whether I recognize that influence or not. Do they recognize my faith, my God, my being - do I influence them positively or negatively? Do I want them to know God through me? Would I be pleased if they thought I was God's representative or would they be surprised? Influence - rich, poor, male, female, boss, employee, pew partners, treadmill trompers - we all impact one another in some way. It's a huge arena for influence, for evangelism of one's faith and daily life with God.

Do you think of your influence on others in a similar fashion? Have you encountered a holy rep this morning, this day, this week - have you been one? I'd love to hear where you think your influence might have been felt, even if only a little bit.