LoveJodyLynn | Dream Big

This week one of your teachers invited me in to speak to your class. You reminded of something during that hour that created a special moment for me.

18 years ago, I was in middle school. Honestly, I don’t ever feel old until I type things like “18 years ago, I was in middle school.” Wow times flies.

I was in middle school and we had a special guest speaker at chapel that week. It was Beth and Eric. They were missionaries to an island and were sharing with our class what it meant to be a missionary, to love and serve a people group.

I remember hearing them talk and thinking that when I got old I wanted to love people the same way they did. I didn’t want to move across the ocean but I wanted to be a missionary here in the United States. We had learned about Mother Teresa in class and I thought she was the coolest. She loved people so well that even when they were dying and alone, she made them feel like they were surrounded with love and hope.

It starts with changing my life so I can best help others. This takes time, it’s really hard and I’m still working on it. I still have lots of flaws and sass and sometimes I respond way too quickly to others. The more time I spend creating healthy habits in my life, the more time I will be able to spend helping others find help and hope.

Then it continues by changing 1 thing for 1 person. One of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa is “If you can’t feed one hundred people, just feed one.”

If you want to change the world (because you absolutely can and will) then start by doing 1 thing for 1 person.

When talking to a class of your peers this week, I was reminded why you’re some of my favorite people. Middle school is so hard, but you guys are so cool. You have great ideas, ask great questions and have the kind of energy adults only have if they slept all night and have 3 cups of coffee.

So, dream big! We all depend on it. The future of our lives and world depends on you. You have great ideas and big dreams. Write them down. Work on them. Don’t forget them – even if it takes 18 years for it start happening. You’re never too young, too small or too anything to help someone find help for today and hope for tomorrow.