Around two years ago today, I was sitting in a hospital at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center starting the one thing I had dreaded for years, dialysis. I had pushed, shoved and done everything I possibly could to stop it from being my fate, but on June 16, 2011, I could wait no further. Dialysis had to start or I was facing most definitely facing death.

I will never forget the car ride up to the hospital. I was so sick that I was literally lying down in the front seat of my mom’s Expedition. All I could think about at that time was, “How am I going to pay for this?” and “How am I going to pay my bills while I am in the hospital?” As my mother drove me up to the hospital, I could tell that she was as worried as she has ever been in her life. I was really scared of what the future had in store for me, but my mother did her dead level best to reassure me that everything would be OK and that those lovely bill collectors would eventually get their money. Yet, I just knew that this was the maximum of all that she could handle emotionally.

When I started my first session, I remember being most worried about how painful those needles were going to be. After spending a year and five months on dialysis, I now know the worst part was never the needles. It was the blood pressure drops that made me feel nauseated and as close to passing out as I have ever been. On the television in the room where I had my first dialysis session was The Price is Right. I remember being more focused on what was going on around me rather than the show. I guess since the first time, it intrigued me to watch my blood circulate through the machine for the first time. Had I realized the number of times I was going to get to see my blood flowing through the machine, I probably would have just watched the show.

While my first session was only two hours, it occurred to me that this was the longest two hours ever, and about a quarter into that first session, I felt my blood pressure drop. I have no idea why it dropped. I am guessing I probably just had so much fluid on me, and I didn’t even know it. With this drop, they forced me to lay flat on my back for the rest of the session. This was the dullest time of my entire life. I think I counted ceiling tiles for the rest of the session. I learned really fast to bring me some headphones or entertainment to keep me busy during a dialysis session or be forced to count ceiling tiles.

As they wheeled me out of that one session, I felt glad to have that first experience out of the way, but I truly did understand why I dreaded it so much. Despite this first experience, I do thank God for keeping me alive through dialysis during that time. While it may not have been anything I had ever hoped for, it kept me alive to get to experience the life I had in between those sessions.

Katie Holland can be reached by email at kt_sue2002@yahoo.com.

As time goes by, do you ever think about the influence you have on those around you? Do you wonder if you are making a difference in the lives of those you love or if you are accomplishing anything of lasting significance?

We all ponder these questions at one time or another. As people created in God’s image, we have within us a need to know that our lives are important and that what we do is truly meaningful — genuinely impactful to those we meet. We want to know that we are accepted, loved, and valued. We also desire the assurance that what we do will inspire the generations that will come after us.

Unfortunately, many of us may mistakenly measure our worth by how much we own, who seeks our counsel, the power we wield, the honors we’ve earned, or the number of people who know our names. But God never intended for these earthly achievements to define us. Scripture teaches us that the Father takes a different view of what comprises a significant life. The apostle John assures us, “The word is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (John 2:17).

So let me ask you: Do you feel as if your life is meaningful and of value? Do you know for certain you are accepted and loved, and that you’re inspiring those around you? Or have you become discouraged, wondering if what you do really matters?

You can be certain you are leaving a lasting legacy when you obey God because the most powerful way you influence people is leading them closer to Jesus.

This always causes me to think of my Mother. Growing up as a young child her life was difficult because she had a Dad with an alcoholic problem. Her Mother tried the best she knew how to provide for and take care of her four children. Because of the control that alcohol had on her Dad my Mother married young so that she could have a better life. My parents were married for 57 years when my Dad went to his eternal home in 1996. My Mother has always been a great provider, a nurturer, a woman of great wisdom because of her personal experiences in life, a woman of great strength and faith in God. I hear her say very often that she wants to live her life so that others can see Jesus in her. My Mother has had such great influence on my life which is still bearing eternal fruit today. I will never forget her kneeling with me beside my bed, praying with me, calling out my name to God, and teaching me to search Scripture. Her loving, faithful example has stayed with me throughout my life.

Like my Mother, you can live a life of great significance. You can know that what you say and do will influence those around you. So how do you ensure that your words and actions are truly meaningful and genuinely impactful to those you meet?

First, you do so by modeling a steadfast desire to follow Jesus with a sincere faith in His will and ways. Your devotion to the Savior motivates those around you to seek Him. As they see you face difficult trials with His grace or step out with absolute confidence in His wisdom and provision, they will know that your relationship with Him is not in word only. They will see it is a real energizing part of your life. They will witness how He loves, comforts, and strengthens you through every circumstance and provides for every need, and they will want to know Him as well (2 Corinthians 4: 5-7).

Second, you impact those you meet by demonstrating reverence for God’s Word. You do not have to be a scholar to inspire a love for the Bible in others—my Mother certainly wasn’t. All you need is to show reverence for God’s Word above all other sources of information as you read, study, and explain it. The Holy Spirit will do the rest (Hebrews 4:12).

Third, you influence others by teaching them how to listen to and obey the Lord. When you spend time with the Father and study Scripture, you develop profound discernment in many areas because “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). As your knowledge deepens, God will give you opportunities to share with others how they can listen to the Father and obey His commands for themselves.

Fourth, you ensure your interactions with others are meaningful and impactful by expressing a sincere love, a servant spirit, a forgiving heart, and a generous hand in every situation. When you demonstrate the character of Christ to others, your influence will be profound. By keeping your heart open, available, and ready to help others, they will see a difference in your life and will hopefully devote themselves to Christ. As Paul said, “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some” ( 1 Corinthians 9:22).

So do you wonder if you are making a difference in the lives of those you love or if you are accomplishing anything of consequence? Are you influencing those around you, leaving a spiritual legacy that will last in eternity? Like my Mother, Sudie, you can. It doesn’t matter how much you own, who seeks your counsel, the power you wield, the honors you’ve earned, or the number of people who know your name. What matter is the love and obedience you have for God.

Therefore, follow Jesus in faith, show reverence for Scripture, demonstrate Christ’s character to everyone you meet, and obey the Father. Doing so helps you know for certain that you are impacting eternity because when you do, you will realize how valuable and significant your life truly is.

When it comes to ministering to others for the sake of the gospel, you can never out give God. The Father always blesses the love, service, and prayers you selflessly invest in those around you.