This has been an emotional week. Those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook have likely heard about the accident that took the lives of David Stringer & Jonathan Jackson on Saturday evening. The two boys, 17 & 18, were killed when their car collided with an oncoming vehicle. I learned of the news early on Sunday (Mother’s Day) and called David’s parents immediately.
You see, I’ve known Doug and Kim Stringer for 27 years. They are two of the biggest influences in my life. Doug was the best man in my wedding, they were there when my own daughter passed away, they were there when we launched Bikers’ Church. They are more than friends, they are family.
And so, my heart was broken for them.
Since Sunday evening, Heather and I have spent almost all of our time with Doug and Kim. I have been amazed at how their faith has carried them this week. Their strength is a testimony of those who have hope that this world is not all there is.
Yesterday, we accompanied the Stringer family to David’s high school. There were hundreds of teenagers gathered outside of his locker, and as we walked around the corner, the sight was … well … beyond words. But what struck me the most was what happened next. A student spoke up and told the family how much David meant to all of them. Then, Doug spoke and thanked the teens for being there, for supporting them, for loving David. The family took time to look through the many items in David’s locker, and then, as we prepared to leave, Kim said a few words to the kids.
Even in their grief, Kim and Doug were investing into the lives of others.
As we were leaving, a student came up to Kim and handed her a stack of letters. They were written by students addressed to David, thanking him for his influence in their lives. Many spoke of a strong, steady, uncompromising faith that demonstrated itself through a deep love and compassion for others. Students wrote about how they felt left out, lonely, empty, and then David would sit with them, goof around with them, make them feel accepted. Many spoke about how his faith impacted their lives.
It has reminded me how easy it can be to allow your life to impact others. Something we think it has to be something huge, something world-impacting. But rarely is that the case. Most of us will not find the cure of a disease, or invent an alternative energy fuel. But all of us can say a simple, “Hello” to an elderly lady or smile at a student who sits alone. Touching a life isn’t hard to do, it just takes a moment.
How are you living? Do you let those moments pass by without a second thought? Or do you take the time to do something small … something that might be huge for the person on the receiving end. This week, David has reminded me that it’s those small things that make the biggest difference.
Today, do a small thing for one other person. You never know how you’ll change a life.
