Mozele Yearty was an extraordinary person. Most in the small town of Temple Georgia where she lived knew her as a seamstress, but I just called her Maw Maw. For hours I used to sit and watch her sew everything from wedding dresses to three piece suits. In fact I became quite handy with a needle and thread thanks to her patient instruction.

The last years of her life were spent confined to a wheelchair, yet to me she never walked taller. On the day of her funeral, as I was getting dressed, I noticed that the shirt I had chosen to wear was missing a button. Quietly I smiled to myself and thought, I can fix that because Maw Maw taught me how to sew a button on. 

When we reflect on the influence others have had on our lives, do we consider the spiritual influence we have on those around us? Do we think ahead to the Day of Judgment, realizing that if we stand there righteous in the eyes of God through faith in Jesus, (Romans 3:26) it will be because someone took the time to teach us the gospel? 

The apostle Paul was mindful of his influence and example to many early Christians.  He encouraged the Philippian church that they continue “holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:16). Paul also reminded the young preacher Timothy that his faith came as a result of example of faith set by both his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5).  

Paul also thought the same of Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 9:1 defending his apostleship he declares, “Are you not my work in the Lord”.  So we see that this great apostle had a great influence on those to whom he preached and worked with.  

Perhaps we will never travel the distances that Paul did in preaching the gospel. We can, however have tremendous influence on those near us every day. Equipped with the same gospel and steadfastly carrying out that same great commission, we too can look forward to the judgment day with those standing there because of our patient instruction.