"i invite YOU in": THEY MIGHT CHANGE EVERYTHING

It was awesome to kick-off the State Farm speaking tour at Cumberland County College today with back-to-back presentations.  The reception was overwhelming from staff and students alike. In addition, I was able to meet Assemblyman Andrzejczak from Cape May County, State Farm representatives Jennifer Young and Tim Noel, as well as the wonderful Muniz family; whose story and video project—centered around their son Christian—was presented before my speaking presentation. Christian suffers from a traumatic brain injury as a result of a drinking and driving tragedy, in which he was not the driver, yet he was consequently and seriously injured as a passenger. Seeing the video was moving enough, but seeing Christian in person (in the wheelchair with his nurse by his side and his parents still emotionally torn) was more than enough to move you to reaction. I say “reaction” because the delivering of the message is the action, whereas the reception and application of the message should be the reaction. Should be, and the Muniz family and I hope it will be.It was an honor to speak with Christian’s parents after the presentation and thank them both for their courage to share their families story; as well as being inspired by the motivating hope they have to prevent other tragedies like theirs. They are navigating their waking nightmare with strength and dignity, and it was humbling to witness their families’ integrity.And speaking of integrity—or lack thereof—I was deeply disappointed by the fact that they never received an apology from the driver who was responsible for the wreckage. They, along with a few other individuals today, told me that my story and openness about my error has helped heal fractures in their hearts involving forgiveness. So many people have never been able to resolve the outer most layer of pain in their lives because the offender never said, “I’m sorry.”Of course those 2 words may not change anything, but then again, THEY MIGHT CHANGE EVERYTHING. Nonetheless, I am overwhelmed that God would use my brokenness to pour forth healing into other people’s lives.  You see, I know I don’t deserve this voice, but the community does.  And with that range of influence involving a community at large and individuals at their hearts, my gratefulness for God’s grace in my life cannot be silenced.  Onward I go, upward I look……