Leavin Your Imprints on the World
I just got a call from one of my favorite youth pastors in the world. He has brought his youth group out to Timberline Lodge (where I work) a couple times and I have gone and spoke at their summer camp twice. Over the years I have developed relationships with different students in the group. Two of the students that I will never forget are two girls, Lauren and Kathryn. I call them tweedle dee and tweedle dumb (or the twins) they are inseparable.. They have been best friends since they were in kindergarten. Now they are 16 or 17 and have grown up to be amazing women of God. I spoke at their summer camp one year and the girls made me a poster board that was a colleague of them growing up to tell me how much they appreciated me. If you were to meet these two girls you would never forget them. They are both full of so much life and joy. They can make anyone feel welcome and accepted. Together they are hilarious, like a constant comedy act. They made such an impact on my life that I still have the poster board and this was over 3 years ago (which is a big deal for me.) When I picked up my phone and realized that it was this youth pastor I got excited, it was so good to hear his voice. Only he didn’t sound like his regular self. He said, “Zane I got some bad news.” Lauren, (one of the girls) died today in a car wreck. My heart sank. It didn’t seem real. It was like the world stopped and I was left with the cold reality that one of the most amazing, joyful, life loving people that I know just died at such a young age. I wanted to call the other girl, but I had no words to say. When we face the reality of death, there are no words to take away the pain. It’s not fair. I went up to my room and just spent time looking at the poster board that Lauren made me. She died way to young. As I sat there looking at this poster I realized, that Lauren lived life to the fullest. She left her fingerprints on this world. Just one of those prints is the impact that she had on my life. I have a poster board to remember the girl who left a lasting imprint on my life. I was faced with the question, “what imprint am I leaving on the world?” What will I be remembered for? May each of us leave an everlasting imprint on the world, an imprint of fullness of life, joy, happiness, and love. Jesus said that He was the one who came to offer life and life to the fullest. If you have received that life then share it with others, we never know what day will be our last. If you have not received the fullness of life that Jesus offers, don’t waste another day living without it we never know when our last day may come.
April 14, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I too have two students that have made an imprint on my life. They have become like daughters to my wife Kim and I. I can’t imagine what you went through when you got the news. Thanks for reminding me of the importance of living life to the fullest and leaving a godly impression.
April 16, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I thought that this story was great, and I look forward to your next blog.
June 16, 2008 at 11:07 am
Wow! I’m sorry for the loss! I read a book once about a girl who left an imprint on the world with just 4 words. When asked if she believed in God, Rachel Joy Scott said 4 words that made her famous… “You konw I do.” she was then killed by one of the Columbine gunmen. I urge you to read “rachel’s Tears” It’s a biography of her life written by her parents.
August 23, 2008 at 7:47 am
thats a really sad story but its so cool to kno that Christ conquered death and that there is greater hope for those who love him. everyday we all need to live in a way that we leave our imprints on the world cuz christ lives thru us.. somethin i heard one time is that “chritianity marches on the shoulders of the anonymous” somethin like that and its cool to think about.
October 16, 2008 at 3:45 pm
yeah i have a freind who has diedi n the car crash… His name is Alex yurewich. he was sooo inpiration to me. he has died in may 2005. He had died with a freind. HIs freind died as well but his freind sister surived. she go to my school. she has lost her brother with alex in same car crash with them. Alex is awesome guy. he does not care about anything and he accept for who you are. he just great guy. I wear a green braclet that say alex yurewich skate for life. i also have a skateboard of alex yurewich. i wont forget him. he is always in my life. this guy he also impact my life. his name is blaine. he teach me how to skateboard. not only that… he was my best friend. he is still alive of course. we kept in touch sometimes but he is great guy and i love him like he is one of my brothers! thank to him he really taught me a lots.