What does it mean to live lives of significance and service? Personally, I’ve had many excellent role models. However, two stand out at this particular time in my life, and those are my parents.

As a teacher I constantly reflect on the lessons I teach by asking myself three questions -- were my objectives met, why was the lesson significant and, most importantly, how did the lesson and my teaching impact student learning? As Christians, we can ask ourselves similar questions -- how is my life significant and how am I impacting the lives of others?

Mom loved cards! She remembered every major and minor event in people’s lives with cards. I can’t begin to count the people who told me they were encouraged by one of mom’s cards. One friend showed me a card mom sent her on the death of her husband some 25 years earlier. Mom had a special place in her heart for shut-ins and a passion for visitation. She literally dragged the pastor along with her as they went around town visiting people. Mom served as a volunteer in the Alzheimer wing of a nursing home for many years. Ironically, this was the same facility where my dad spent the last months of his life. One day, the cleaning lady was in dad’s room and saw a picture of my parents on the dresser. She immediately asked us how we knew Edie! She then shared stories of how mom had impacted the lives of both residents and employees.

Dad loved baseball! He loved playing, coaching and watching it. The latter he passed on to me, although he could never quite figure out my allegiance to the Cubs! My dad chose to volunteer his time with the PONY Baseball organization. He held a variety of positions in his 45 years of service, ranging from organizing tournaments to chairman of the board. As we celebrated his life this spring, I heard descriptors such as “honest, straight shooter, fair and wise.” One note simply said, “A tremendous loss to the organization, as your dad was a father figure to so many of us.”

The church council is studying the book, Reimagining Evangelism, by Rick Richardson. This was a powerful book for me to read as I reflected on my father’s life. I found it difficult to put down. Professor Richardson calls us to leave our “holy huddles” and “develop genuine friendships with people far from God.” We are challenged to “Do something you love. Have fun with people who don’t yet know Jesus.” He believes that “Sharing your struggles, sufferings, needs and longings are the best bridge into the lives of others.”

My parents shared their faith in significant ways that impacted lives as they served others in their community and beyond. What an important lesson for me!