People of Influence

Tonight in class we were asked to think of one person who was a person of influence in our childhood. The normal and easy answer of course is usually one or both parents. And I think they were a huge influence on me as I was growing up. However, outside my family, I think the one person that influenced me the most was our youth pastor. He and his wife were full of energy and love for the kids. He took us individually under his wing, and would drive us to church activities. If we needed a ride, call the Pastor; if we just needed to talk, call Pastor, scriptural questions...call Pastor. He always had time for any of us.

In retrospect, I always felt safe and loved when with him. Unfortunately I believe that the time for a person such as this Pastor are past. Any man would be foolish to cart young women around by himself in this day and age. I think that eventually someone would take advantage of his care and love and accuse him of vile things. Pure love of children, even in a religious setting, is no longer valued. It has become peverted. Sad, sad, sad.