Since it's the end of the year, I've been reflecting. I've been thinking about who has impacted me and who I have impacted. And I began to think about the Sunday School teachers that I have had. My first teacher was Mrs. Opal Jennings.

Mrs. Jennings taught the Primaries (6- to 8-year-olds). Every week she would be ready to tell me Bible stories, talk about Bible verses, play games, and so forth. And when I say "me," I really mean "me." I attended a small church outside of Waco, Texas. Many times I was the only child in my class. But Mrs. Jennings was always ready to teach. She didn't say, "It's only Scott" or "Why don't you just read while I do something over here." She was prepared and she taught.

Teaching me may have been a challenge from time to time, I think. I was very quiet and shy. I tended to think about things rather than talk about things. Sometimes I was afraid to supply an answer unless I knew it was right. (Who wants to be wrong?) But, as best as I can remember, Mrs. Jennings was always kind, loving, and encouraging. She helped me begin to understand what the Bible taught and who Jesus is. I loved her and she loved me.

My biggest memory of Mrs. Jennings is her working with me to learn the books of the New Testament. (My mom helped, too.) I had to memorize the New Testament books and recite them in front of the whole church. (A big thing for a quiet, shy kid.) But we did it! Now, anytime I'm looking up a verse in the New Testament, I think of saying those books and I think of Mrs. Jennings. She greatly impacted my foundational understanding of the Bible and my spiritual beginnings.

But Mrs. Jennings' impact goes beyond that. I think about all the boys and girls that I have had the privilege of teaching. Mrs. Jennings is impacting the lives of children in Nashville, Tennessee, many years after she impacted my life. I see teenagers leading in worship, teenagers that were in my kindergarten class. Mrs. Jennings' faithfulness is still bearing fruit.

Psalm 145:4 has become a favorite verse: "One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts." Mrs. Jennings is impacting another generation through her impact on me. And, hopefully, some of the children I teach will impact future generations with the gospel. That's a true legacy.

Who has impacted you? Whom are you impacting?

category: Encouragement , Leadership
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