Effects of your influence

It was on a Monday evening, to be precise recently on May 4, while watching TV in order to relax and cool off the work stress plus many thoughts running in my head when a commercial break pops up. It was reminding us of the mother’s week running from May 4 to 10, 2009. The advert quickly triggered back my grave worries that I had over my mother who was to undergo a major operation the next day. It got me thinking about the motherly love, all the good things that the old lady has done for me plus the positive influence she has had on my life. With the strong Christian background that she ensured that I go through as I grew up, I knew more and more prayers for her to the almighty God is what she expected of me in the trying time she was going through. You will pardon me for jumping right to Life Principle: 45: Effects of your influence. The influence that comes from our parents, friends, relatives, colleagues, bosses in many circumstances shapes our approach to situation and decision making. Majority of the parents strive to raise God fearing children. However influence over people comes also from other people that we interact with. Friends, have you and me influenced the people around us to fear and serve God or we have just contributed in making them rebellious in the eyes of God? In 2 Chronicles chapter 22 & 23: when king Ahaziah became king at age 22, his mother (Athaliah) and peers influenced him into sin. Ahaziah continued in sin just as his predecessors had done. He engaged in several wars and executed many people as his advisers led him to ruin and this later led to his own death. When the mother, Athaliah took over the kingdom she continued with sin just as she had influenced her son into, which also led to her death. 2 chronicle 23:15 “so they seized Athaliah and led her out to the entrance of the horse gate on the palace grounds, and they killed her there.” 1 Samuel 1: after the Lord hard blessed Hannah with a son, she ensured that her son Samuel grew up a God fearing person. With such a background and the positive influence that his mother had towards Samuel, he developed a positive relationship with God and later was made king. 1 Samuel 1:27-28: “I asked the lord to give me this boy, and He has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the lord and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” The two scenarios show how your influence can greatly affect the lives of the people around you plus your own life. Which side are you? Parents in which direction are you guiding your kids? Friends, is your influence negative or positive? We should always be thankful to God for the parents we have/had. The TV advert on mothers’ week ended by saying, “The highest paid field job is that of being a mother, because the payment is pure love.” I believe the best influence we can have towards the people around us is pure love and show of fear of God. I am glad and thank God that my mum had a successful operation and she is now on the road to full recovery. Prayer Father Lord Jesus, we pray for forgiveness and we pray that you make us good examples and influences towards others. Amen email.allantenya@yahoo.com