Subtle
Influence, Strong Inspiration
I awoke
from my dream. I had been in a crowd, a
big crowd like a Graduation gathering. Out
of the crowd stepped a tall, lanky woman with a broad smile, wearing a white
dress. She embraced me and I felt loved.
I recognized her as my former high school journalism teacher, Mrs. Kerr.
In my
waking hours, I pondered the meaning of the dream and reminisced the four years
under her tutelage. She was the first to introduce me to a Thesaurus and Ballet. Her approval and advice in writing motivated
me to say what I mean and mean what I say in as few words necessary. Her mere presence commanded respect, but I
valued her input and strove to be as learned and wise. Scholastically, I did not achieve these high
aspirations, but she remains tantamount in the small handful of inspiring
teachers and advisors, which helped shape my character and skills.
She was an
Every Day Missionary in my life, in which, I did not realize until today’s
ponderings. Ever striving to live God’s love that others may know by looking
at my life whether than my mere preaching, she remains a strong example. “Broaden your horizons,” is one of my mantras
and goes back to a class assignment to attend and write about The
Nutcracker. She carted us downtown to an
antiquated Theatre. Beneath a plastered
sky of cherubs and stars, I watched my first Ballet and was smitten.
This
lifelong romance with the Nutcracker, carried over into my parenting and we in
turn, exposed our daughters to culture and Ballet. Our youngest enjoyed Ballet and miraculously
danced in Moscow’s Ballet Nutcracker her 18th year. Having injured her foot two years prior,
diagnosed not to walk normally let alone dance again, prayer, and God’s grace
healed her injury. Two years later, she
fluttered about stage as a Butterfly during a local performance of the Moscow
Ballet.
This same
balance between scholastics, faith and culture influences my personal
activities and in turn, those of our household. Living life to the fullest and
following where God leads. Our eldest,
after prompting and reassurance to follow her passion, is almost finished her
Culinary Degree. Experiencing the South
for the first time, she is doing her externship in Virginia for six months and
continuing to broaden her own horizons.
When I
googled Mrs. Kerr, I hoped to find her address in order to contact her. Instead, I discovered an article posted December 13, 2012 and then a video.
Coincidentally, my birthday is December 13. The video highlighted the Kerr’s work in
Missions and her subtle but strong love of God and appreciation for our
salvation through Jesus. Although
unaware of their remarkable work in Missions, I am not surprised. In addition,
just as they had prayed many years ago for funds needed to build a hospital and
God supplied extra, He once again supplied abundantly. I googled her in hopes to find an address
and instead, followed links and dialed a number and she answered!
I apologize
again for not having kept in better touch with Mrs. Kerr, for she has been a
major although subtle influence in my life in numerous ways. I am grateful that the white dress in my
dream did not signify I was too late to let her know! God truly does weave us together in life’s
tapestry and we never know how we influence one another. As Christians, may we strive to show our love
of God through our love for one another.
May we never hesitate to stop and encourage one another. May we never miss an opportunity to thank
those who influenced our life. Thank you,
Mrs. Kerr. Mrs. Kerr video