When I started writing, it was simply a feeling, a decision to create a discipline in response to something within urging me to begin.
I was never sure of the outcome. At times, I’ve wondered what’s the point of it all of it anyway?
The pressures of fatherhood and business ownership leave me scrambling to get it all done. In the middle of the doing it’s easy to lose heart. However, there are moments that light my path. These moments encourage my belief that God is at work even in the midst of crazy circumstances. They remind me that He is always at work, especially when I can’t see Him.
This week, I had such a moment.
The following email is shared with permission from it’s sender. I am hesitant to share because I don’t want to imply any belief that it is from or of my doing. I share because it helps me recognize, there’s more going on than meets the eye.
Always.
Matt,
I wanted to let you know that the presentation you gave to our MOPS group a few months ago really hit home and I have had a better view of things since.
Not only has my life been affected, but an old friend recently attempted suicide.
I visited her in the hospital, and shared your concepts in a letter I wrote to her. I was having a difficult time writing without anger for what she was doing to her family, but using your RICH principles helped me organize my thoughts in a productive manner. After I finished reading it to her, we had one of the closest heart-to-heart talks in years. So, I think it helped.
She still has a long way to go, but I told her how I keep a copy of my notes from your talk on my refrigerator to remind me everyday. Hopefully, she will look at my letter in the same way to get her life back on track.
The two principles that keep me focused are the ‘I’ and ‘C’ within the RICH.
Investing in Others and Choosing to be Grateful.
It is so easy to fall into the habit of only caring about your obvious responsibilities and complaining about bad things that still happen. Since your talk, I have been giving more of my time to help others, which makes me feel good, even if a little hectic. I also realize the joy I have in my life a lot more, as I AM TRULY GRATEFUL to have the life I do, the people in it, and the opportunities to affect others.
I believe that things happen for a reason and every event is connected.
I only began the MOPS group because of a decision last summer to randomly attended a marketing event with a neighbor. What started as a chance to get a break from motherhood led me to meet a fellow MOPS member. Through the group I have gained a better sense of self, being surrounded with empathetic and caring women. That change allowed me to be open to hear your talk which re-focused my outlook for daily life.
Shortly after your talk, I planned a trip to Virginia which happened to be four days after my friend, who lives there, tried to end her life. I was able to visit her when she woke up, help her with a few things, talk to her 17-year old daughter (my God-daughter), and share my letter to her.
God put me in the right place, at the right times, with good people so I could be there for my friend in need.
I wanted to say thank you for touching my life that day, and I look forward to following your blog from abroad. We are moving to Japan in July for three years, and I KNOW I will need your RICH principles to keep me grounded in another culture, through the changes it will mean for our family. They will remind me to be grateful for the wonderful opportunity my husband’s career has thrown at us.
Sincerely,
G
Hope is very difficult to grasp because it is a belief in the unseen, a confidence in our faith. However, it just takes a little perspective. And, when we learn to live with perspective, it has a way of reminding us that hope is there.
This letter provided hope for me today and it goes to show me:
You have the opportunity to bring hope to someone today.
You Matter. Choose Hope. Live Richly.
MH
Great stuff man! I’m sure you’ve heard this countless times at PC3 if you’ve been attending for any length of time, but Mike always talks about “leveraging your life for impact,” and that’s exactly what you are doing… And in turn what this individual did for her friend… And what her friend will likely do for someone else through her story and testimony! Gives me chills just thinking about the “ripple effect” and how God works…
Amen Chad! REAL – I tokd Mike that RICH was encouraged by his teaching.
It’s amazing when we slow down and position ourselves under His influence. The ripple reaches well beyond the scope of our comprehension. The first step is recognizing rhat every little thing matters.
Have a blessed day brother!
You too, my friend… One of these Fridays we need to go have lunch.
Matt, great piece. We’re do I find your original article with the RICH technique? Sounds very helpful.
Tonia – email me at Matt at Mattham dot com
Great reminder Matt, many times we fall into the trap of self-service without the realization of the impact around us until we are blessed enough to have someone step out and say thanks. The pebble in the water has great impact.
Charles – Andy Andrews calls it The Butterfly Effect and that ripple goes well beyond our wildest imagination. Thanks for stopping by!