Chances are you’ve never heard of Dixie Thompson. She was the music director for one of the churches my husband pastored. Descriptors for Dixie would include:
(We performed “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in 1998. That’s me on the right.)
- Gifted; directing all aspects of a musical (instruments, choir, players, narrator, stage crew, sound technician, etc.–and making it look easy)
- Talented; bringing the best out of each participant
- Good listener; not interrupting, seeking to understand
- Unflappable; calm under fire
- Encouraging; often writing notes of appreciation
When I happened to be with Dixie at a restaurant or store, we’d always run into people she knew. And everybody wanted to talk to Dixie. She made each person feel important to her.
Much sooner than we would have liked, God chose to take Dixie home to heaven. She died of a brain tumor several years after my husband had been assigned to another church.
Hundreds of people attended her funeral. And the numerous stories told that afternoon gave indication of Dixie’s widespread impact.
Does that sound appealing—to influence for good the people around you?
In fact, that’s a normal desire:
“The drive to significance is a simple extension of the creative impulse of God that gave us being . . . We were built to count as water is made to run downhill. We are placed in a specific context to count in ways that no one else does. That is our destiny” [1].
But to accomplish our destiny requires determination. Determination to:
Accept who we are and where we are (Psalm 138:8)
‘Feeling ordinary? Insignificant? Unseen? Your feelings are lying to you!
“There is no such thing as an insignificant person or an insignificant place or an insignificant position” [2].
Granted, some people are like Waterford crystal, refracting the light and drawing praise. Others of us feel as forgettable as a compost bin.
Just remember: Crystal can be fragile, but that unremarkable compost bin offers “rich possibilities for fertilizing the lives of others” [3].
Pray to be prepared (Psalm 143:10)
“God’s recipe for significance is to get low, not high, to commit our plans to the Lord in prayer, not to move ahead without a sense of his blessing and guidance ”[4].
We can pray each day that God will work and speak through us to benefit those we encounter.
Invest in others (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives” (Jackie Robinson).
And impact occurs as we help and support, share and give, listen and encourage, challenge and celebrate those around us.
Cumulate words and deeds (Zechariah 4:10a)
“Never underestimate the power of a simple act of kindness or an encouraging word” [5].
Sometimes what seems like ordinary conversation and ordinary gestures actually add up to far-reaching impact.
I think of my grandmother, whose steady faith over the course of her life, her consistent kindness, overriding serenity, and more still inspire me, more than fifty years after she went home to her beloved Jesus.
Model / Be an example (Matthew 5:16)
An impactful example can occur even when we’re unaware.
“With every deed you are sowing a seed, though the harvest you may not see.”—Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
Words are seeds too. Even an overheard conversation might be just the catalyst to turn a mind toward Christ.
[Be] Tenacious of faith (1 Corinthians 15:58)
We can determine to be tenacious, faithful, and watchful people, always attentive to those persons God puts in front of us, and seeking to honor him by honoring them. Then “we trust there will be fruit whether we see it or not” [6].
Stir these actions into your life . . .
- I nvestment in others
- M odeling / Be an example
- P rayers of preparation
- A cceptance of who we are and where we are
- C umulation of simple words and deeds
- T enacity of faith
. . . and you will indeed provide IMPACT in this world, an impact that extends into eternity.
No doubt people are still entering heaven’s gates who were impacted by the legacy of Dixie Thompson, and even of my dear grandmother.
[1] Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God, quoted by Sara Hagerty in Unseen, 40.
[2] Anne Graham Lotz, The Vision of His Glory, 77.
[3] illustration from Maggie Wallem Row, This Life We Share, 15.
[4] Dane Ortlund, In the Lord I Take Refuge, 359.
[5] Dorothea Shields, https://liviingmagazine.net/a-life-of-significance
[6] Hilary Yancey, contributor to A Moment to Breathe, 135.
Image credits: Steve Ruegg; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pick.pik.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com.
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I thought of Ephesians 2:10 as I read your post
That’s another good one I could have included. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Matt!
A beautiful post, Nancy. She sounds like a person who could change the world for good!
I’m sure she did, Dwight! Praise God you found beauty here, in what IMPACT can look like.
Yes!
A very lovely testimony of an important member of your church. I find the people who have the most influence on me are fellow church members. We are all part of the same family when we’re bonded through Jesus.
Isn’t it wonderful when a church body becomes family, because of the love, support, encouragement, and joy we experience together? The bond of Jesus most definitely does a miraculous work in relationships, just as you’ve said. Imagine how much stronger those ties will be when we’re together with him in heaven!!
So true. Happy Mother’s Day🌺
Thank you, Kathy. I pray you enjoy a blessed Mother’s Day also!
What a beautiful commendation of a godly life. Love that acronym for impact. Like that I can remember it. Thanks for the encouragement
You’re welcome, Brenda! Dixie was indeed a godly woman whose legacy still inspires me to this day.
Saturday I celebrated the homecoming of a dear friend. One of the things that impressed me most about him was the way he treated servers at restaurants. Right off the bat, he learned their names and then used them often during the meal. He engaged the server so he found out something about them. He looked at them directly. And he left a good tip. Right now, he is walking streets of gold with his Savior. Perhaps they are talking about all the people he made a personal contact with and how that impacted them. He was active in supporting the work of the Gideons. He will be missed on Earth.
Your dear friend reminds me very much of my husband Steve! He too has a heart for servers, delivery people, parking garage attendants, etc, always making conversation (if they’re not too busy), offering a word of blessing, and giving generous tips. I’m so glad you added your friend’s story to the conversation, illustrating how small deeds of kindness and a quick word of God’s love for them may accomplish heavenly purpose!
Thank you, Nancy, for singing here about the proverbial unsung hero that Dixie was for the Lord. So many of His saints and servants work quietly behind the scenes, but the legacy they leave is worth an angel chorus of praise. May we all acknowledge the Dixies in our lives and pray that God would help us to leave such impressions on the lives of others. Blessings!
Amen, Martha, and so well said! Dixie did indeed leave a legacy “worth an angel chorus of praise.” And you are so right: the Dixies of this world who do so much to encourage others need encouraging themselves, don’t they. Thank you for adding your insights, my friend!
I remember Dixie! All your adjectives describe her perfectly; especially “unflappable”. The “I’ll be Home for Christmas play was my favorite one that you were in. You were exceptional; some good comedic timing as well. Thought of you on National Day of Prayer. Remembering how we prayed together during lunch a few times.
Praying you, Steve, and your extended families are well.
Aw, thank you Diane for your gracious words. That musical was great fun, although the most complicated, I think. We enjoyed much laughter and camaraderie during rehearsals. The performances brought on extra nervousness because of those complications. Timing had to be just right in certain parts. But God BLESSED–no major faux pas! / Yes, those times of prayer at TBS come to my mind as well–with great fondness. How wonderful to have so many Christian sisters on that faculty! / We are all well, Diane; I pray you and yours are also!
This is one that I want to keep and read again and again. You left an IMPACT on me with your wise words. And I have never thought I would want to be compared to a compost bin but I do now! 🙂
Praise God you found this post meaingful, Patty. YOU, my friend, are no doubt leaving a mighty legacy within your community as you faithfully care for Aaron and the rest of your family. / As for the compost bin illustration, I found that in Maggie Wallem Rowe’s book, The Life We Share. I found it meaningful too and thought it worth sharing. Indeed, let’s be happy compost bins together!
My fellow compost friend! 🙂
Thank you so much, Patty. I consider that a COMPLIMENT! 😁
It was lovely to read about someone like Dixie who had that joy about them and drew people and had a lasting impact on people. I really like what you shared about being a compost bin but having the opportunity to richly fertilise the lives of others. I think we can forget our value when we feel unseen. This was a good reminder to keep being who God called you to be and being His hands and feet in whatever capacity He has enabled in us.
I’m so glad you liked the compost bin illustration, Manu. I found it in Maggie Wallem Rowe’s book, This Life We Share. I agree that we can easily lose sight of our value when our place in life seems unimportant and obscured. Praise God for giving worth and purpose to every one of his children; each is precious in his sight, just like the children’s song proclaims. With you I pray to fulfill the capacity he has enabled in me!
The church I attended during my 20s and 30s had George, our choir director, who was very impactful. He also played the violin and it was such a pleasure to be in his choir. (His wife was a magnificent pianist.) George was so encouraging and made it fun to be a small part of a large choir. I always looked forward to Wednesday night’s practice sessions. He was so dedicated that after he led our church in Sunday morning’s choir, he rushed over to my former church to do the same. George, too, died rather young (in 1979 at the age of 67) but I will never forget him and his joyful spirit.
Thank you for sharing your story about George. He must have been a delightful man. Praise God for him and all the stellar saints who’ve gone before us, leaving an example for us to follow and the inspiration to abide in Christ as they did!
inspirational and what a legacy! I love this. :She made each person feel important to her. – I think Jesus did too. I want to model that more….
I agree, Jean–Jesus surely made each person feel valued–from despised tax collectors to poverty-stricken, blind beggars. You’re right: it’s a quality we’d do well to cultivate!
Nancy, loved this one and the reminiscences of Dixie and Oceanview flooded my heart and mind as I read. Thank you for the time investment it must take to put your thoughts and messages together for the benefit of others to take in!
Love to you and Steve,
Ginny
SO many wonderful memories of working together and fellowshipping together at Oceanview, Ginny! You were (and still are) so much fun. / And thank you for your thank you concerning this blog. I’ve always enjoyed playing with words; now I get to indulge myself! However, it IS a team effort with God. I know he’s the One who keeps the ideas flowing, fleshes out the ideas with ways to express them, and even gives me the words to use that clarify meaning. I often find myself quoting James 1:17–“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” That includes creative ideas and precise word choices in a blog post!
Nancy, my outlook always brightens when I immerse myself into one of your testaments. People such as Dixie plant seeds today for a harvest, yet unseen.
Thank you, Richard–so appreciate your encouragement. And praise God these posts brighten your spirit!
Beautiful post! I loved what you wrote about your grandmother…fifty years later, her legacy lives on within your heart. I feel this way also about my grandmother! How blessed we are that love is the true legacy we leave behind. Our lives are the sum total of the love we have given, and the love we have so generously received. God is the author of love, and so, His bounty of love to His children is great. ( It is beyond measure!) No kindness goes unseen by our Heavenly Father. No act of kindness is ever wasted…God uses everything for the good. Thank you for sharing this inspiring post with us!!! (I think this is one of my favorites!!!) Happy Mother’s Day!!!
Agreed: love was the true legacy left behind to us, and now it’s our turn to pass it on to others. I’m so glad you found inspiration here, Linda. And a Happy Mother’s Day back to you!
Hi Nancy,
We all want to have made an impact in other’s lives and at our funeral be a blessing in words. Hope you have many opportunities to come.
In Christ,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thank you, Gary–you too! Leaving a worthwhile legacy of faith is a valuable goal to pursue.
Nancy, thank you for this beautiful invitation to live a life of love and service and investment in others. I see you doing that week in and week out here. Thank God for the opportunities He’s giving us to touch souls in need of encouragement, in need of a tender touch, in need of Jesus.
I’m so glad you found beauty here, Linda. Praise God! I do count it a privilege to be an encourager, to turn our hearts toward Christ each week. It gives me great joy! And please know that every time I see your name in my inbox, I look forward to reading YOUR posts for the same reason!
I love that quote by Dallas Willard–we were made to be encouragers, impacters, for those around us. Not seeking to trumpet our own horn, but to shine the light on the goodness of others. I love your acronym for IMPACT–it reminds me that watchfulness, being attentive, and caring more about others than about myself is where I can have the greatest impact. This was really great, Nancy.
Thank you, Dayle. You’ve added another dimension to this post–LOVE! With love as our motive for the things we do, we WILL have impact!
I’ve come across many “Dixies” in my life and always admire them for the traits you share here, especially the traits I can’t claim for myself. “Unflappable” is particularly admirable; cool under fire. “Tenacious” is another good one, especially with regard to keeping the faith. The country music band Alabama penned a beautiful song a while back called “Angels Among Us”. Indeed, Dixie sounds like she was an angel among us.
Yes, she was, Dave. No doubt there are MANY among her acquaintances who will never forget her.
What an encouraging post and an example and challenge to be a Dixie who was full of Jesus. Blessings
Amen, Wise Hearted; couldn’t agree with you more. And I like the way you put that: “Be a Dixie, full of Jesus.” That’s a perfect, summarizing statement for this post!