25 years ago Yesterday

I marched in graduated ceremonies at Bartlesville Wesleyan College (now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) 25 years ago yesterday. May 4, 1985. Only 21 years old, the future ahead of me like a big bright wonderful thing, all raring to go and ready for whatever was to lie behind me. Surrounded by the best friends a person could have, my super-amazing parents, and administrators, staff and faculty who had a profound influence on my life, it was a perfect day.

So much has happened since then. But those four years were foundational for me. They connected me with the people, ideas, and framework for a solid entrance into adulthood, sure of what I believed and ready to take on the challenges of being a world changer. Bartlesville Wesleyan College -- Building World Changers. I believed it and I set out to do it.

So 25 years later I ask myself, have I changed the world? Well, I worked in higher ed for 12 years, influencing and mentoring college students in two states and one foreign country who have turned out to be doctors, missionaries, pastors, businessmen, journalists -- who in turn are out changing their worlds....

And I've changed it, positively or negatively, for a man who had managed to be single until 32.... when I showed up. I think I pretty much have rocked his world....

I changed it for 12 kids. I may not be the best mom in the world, but I have stuck by these 12 through all kinds of stuff. Bound and determined not to give up on them, to always hope for better days for them, to hold on to my belief in them and their future even when they can't......

And I have changed the world for 493 kids to date who have found permanency because I got involved in matching them. I had some part in that.....

I have changed the world, in my own quirky way, with my blog, my book, my speaking engagements, my off-handed comments at trainings.....

Have I done enough? Of course not. I hope I never come to the place where I say, "I've changed the world enough." It sure needs changing, that's for sure.

And my biggest accomplishment to date? I have learned that the best way to go about changing the world, is to change myself, the only person I can really change.

So as I reflect today I'm grateful for a faithful God, for a foundation of spiritually strong and loving parents, and for the friends and mentors I made years ago who taught me that the world was a big big place, but that it could be changed one life, one person at a time.