Making a Difference

October 2009

As I look back on my life, and evaluate the things that it took to shape who I wanted to be in life, what I wanted to do, and what my purpose was, there were specific points in the stages of growing up and maturing that determined the choices that I made. I believe that God brought about these specific points in my life just at the right time that I needed them which gave me the opportunity to make the right decisions at those crucial times. In almost all of them, it had to do with God placing individuals that I looked up to or respected and admired that caught my attention and made me evaluate what made them who they were. I don't think that at the time some of those individuals even knew that they were making an impact on my life. They were simply living their lives before me, which made it plain to see they lived by a code of honesty, trust, dependability, and they were very strong in those convictions. They were really people that made a difference in my life and have inspired me to try to emulate those qualities.

I have been very blessed in many areas of my life, and I realize that it was God showing me through other people's actions of how He was wanting me to conduct myself, which is what I believe, brings blessings in your life. Success comes through many relationships and people helping you along the way. Life is rich and rewarding through our relationship with God and the people He places in our lives. I, also, realize that by emulating the individuals that make a difference in my life and deciding that that is who I am going to be and how I am going to act gives me the opportunity to possibly affect someone else's life that may be watching me even though I may not be aware.

In today's times, I believe that more than ever, we need to be people of strong convictions, willing to stand for what we know is right and be willing to make a difference. I am thankful to the individuals that made a decision to do that for me because every day I use those principles to govern my life.

May God bless you,
Clay O'Brien Cooper