One Little Word

My oldest son's name is Christopher. Most people call him Chris. Apparently some people use the remaining part of his name and call him Topher.

Chris graduated from college in May. We made the trip to Southern California for the big day. While we were there, I was helping to clean out his dorm room. In the process I found the most interesting post-it note stuck to his closet door.

The note had originally read, "Topher! have a lovely, fantastic, joyful day." But the note had been slightly altered to read, "make a lovely, fantastic, joyful day." Only one little word had been changed. But that one little word changed everything! No longer was it about what was going to happen to him, now it was about what he could make happen... in his own life and in the lives of those he would come in contact with.

After the graduation ceremony, Chris' roommate came over to tell him that a particular person was there. If they hurried, maybe they could get a picture with him. I didn't recognize the name, but from their excitement I thought it might be a favorite professor. To my surprise, I was introduced to the janitor from their freshman dorm. What a wonderful man! A man who had learned the post-it note lesson. It's not about your particular circumstances, it's all about what you choose to make happen regardless of your circumstances.

Chris left home today to return to Southern California to pursue his Master's Degree. I'm so proud of him! I know he's going to be a great success because he's deliberately choosing to be the kind of person that makes things happen - he's choosing to make a difference in the lives of others by being the person God intended him to be.

I'm still going to miss him, though.