I recently received a letter from the parents of a former student of mine that I hadn't seen in over 10 years. "Sherry" had dropped out of school when she was 16, just as I had. Her Mom was writing to thank me for having shared my story of "troubled teen to Teacher of the Year" with all of my students, and for having shared my faith and testimony with her daughter, Sherry. The good news she wanted to tell me was that her daughter had gotten her GED, gone on to a Christian college and was now married to a pastor and they had two beautiful children. Sherry was now a teacher and just this month had earned her Masters' degree. I knew then and there that I had to have her parents come in-studio with me to share their story (as my parents often had) with my radio listening audience. Her mother also had the idea to call Sherry long-distance and have her share the "turn-around story" as well. I sobbed through the whole half-hour live radio interview as I thought of the thousands of "Sherries" and "Debbies" out there whose lives are testimonies to the faithful parents and teachers and youth pastors who have poured the love of Christ into them through the years! I may have never known how God had blessed this family, if Sherry's parents hadn't taken the time to seek me out and tell me. It wasn't something I had to hear, but what a blessing and encouragement it was to me as well as those who got to hear this success story!
Think of all the people who have given you the gift of encouragement or hope. Who are the people in your past who have been your faithful encouragers - those who if you had the opportunity, you would like to go back and thank? It may be a family member, a teacher, a youth leader or pastor; it may be a friend who you haven't kept in touch with, or even someone who you ended up leaving things on a negative basis. For those whom it is possible, could you send them a note or bless them with a surprise phone call? All I can say is that the one you may want to contact the least may turn out to be the greatest blessing!
I was recently asked to share my story in the 10th Golden Edition of the Chicken Soup series. You may remember the story of my high school teacher, Miss Alma, as it was published last year in Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul. The story is about a teacher who had the audacity to put her arms around me and tell me that God had great plans for my life! I knew several years ago I had to go back and see her... and thank her.
Back in 1988, I had lost 100 pounds, was still happily married and had been teaching in St. Louis for 15 years when I was selected as Teacher of the Year. I was compelled to return to my hometown and thank the one who had so inspired me; Miss Alma, by then retired, was serving at a fish fry at her church social -- fish and loaves of bread! How appropriate! As Jesus had fed the thousands so long ago, I envisioned the thousands Miss Alma had "fed" through the years and I knew that I was blessed to have been one of them.
As I approached her, I was immediately transported back to that same insecure, anxious teenager, unable to speak. Once again, I was enveloped in that warm, encouraging hug. "Oh, Debbie! Look at you! You've lost a hundred pounds! And I heard you have become a teacher - I am so proud of you." I wanted to tell her what an inspiration she had been, how much I thanked her for not only saving my life, but also for inspiring me to be all that I had watched her model. I wanted to tell her how my life had changed and that I had become a Christian and how I now share the same love and hugs with my students - as she had with me so many years before. But I was too choked up to say much of anything at the time. All I could mumble was, "Remember when I ran away from home and was suspended from school and almost flunked out and..." But I couldn't even finish the sentence. "Why, Debbie," Miss Alma whispered, "I only remember you as such a good student!" Miss Alma had seen the potential, not the problem. She saw me through the eyes of faith and loved me, with the same unconditional love of Christ, the same unconditional love that my mom and dad also shared. I didn't get to share my thanks her... at least not that day.
But I have kept in touch with Miss Alma and was invited to speak at the graduation ceremony in her hometown. My parents, who are now over 80 and travel all over the world to hear their "prodigal daughter" tell their story, drove Miss Alma to the ceremony where I was speaking. Shortly thereafter, we held a class reunion and honored Miss Alma for all the years she had taught and all the lives she had touched.
As I had shared my past with thousands of my own students through the years, I shared with my former classmates how Miss Alma and my loving parents had literally saved my life when I wasn't even sure that I wanted to be saved! I reminded them that God gives second, third and "hundredth" chances so that one day we can be the encourager to someone in need.
After the speech, I saw a line of former students waiting to hug the beautiful 93-year-old lady who had such an influence on so many. I watched many of my former classmates who were now parents of "troubled" kids themselves flock to my parents, as well as Miss Alma, for hope and encouragement to deal with their own children. There are some who won't know until eternity all the lives they have touched, but I have made sure that Miss Alma and my own parents certainly know! There is no doubt that one day soon they will hear our Savior say, "Well done, my good and faithful servants!" Some would say it is ironic that shortly thereafter; I received the beautiful letter and visit from Sherry and her parents...
As I have hosted a daily three-hour radio program for the past five years, called "Talk from the Heart, with Dr. Peppers," I have learned there are as many hurting and needy adults as there are children. I also know that God can still heal, restore marriages, and return prodigal sons and daughters. I am so grateful for all the faithful prayer warriors and seed-sowers in my life through the years: my parents, my husband, my family, former Sunday school teachers, my co-workers, my friends, my church family, and of course, Miss Alma.
Now that I have traveled throughout the United States as a member of the National Teacher's Hall of Fame, speaking to thousands of schools, businesses and churches, I have always included the inspiring story of Miss Alma. As a radio and television talk show host, I have interviewed everyone from the President of the United States to prisoners on death row. But I never want to forget where I was over 30 years ago and what I could have become but for the grace of God. In all honesty, I should have been dead by now had I not gotten off of that destructive path I was headed down. There are so many who are simply wandering around in the world who need to be reminded that "God has great plans for their life." Now it's your turn! What you choose to believe, to act upon, and to keep doing is up to you. Perhaps there is someone from your distant - or recent past - who would truly be blessed to receive that small "thank you" that you intended to write, or share, but never did. What a great gift to bless one who has blessed you!
Dr. Debra Peppers is an author, speaker and host of a radio and television program. Her afternoon talk show, “Talk From the Heart,” can be heard Monday through Friday from 3 - 5 p.m. on KJSL, AM 630. Visit Dr. Peppers’ website at:
www.pepperseed.org, or
www.saltandlightministry.com.