It was a regular afternoon. I was scrolling through my Facebook feed, checking on friends, catching up with the world, when I noticed a comment on one of my old posts. It was from a name I didn’t immediately recognize—just a stranger, it seemed.
But as I read the words, my heart stopped.
*"Thank you. You may not remember me, but back in 2014, you spoke to me about my future. You told me I had what it took to lead, to rise, to grow. You saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself. Today, I am a General Manager—and I remember every single word you said to me. It changed my life."*
I stared at the screen, stunned. My eyes welled with tears. I read the message again—slowly, carefully—letting each word sink in like sunlight through glass. I sat there in silence for a while, flooded with memories, trying to recall the moment that had left such a lasting impact on someone else. But the truth is, I couldn’t remember the specific conversation.
And yet, that didn’t matter.
How incredible is it, that something I said—perhaps in a casual moment, during a fleeting exchange, or amid the routine of an ordinary day—could stay in someone’s heart for over a decade? That those words, likely spoken in faith and kindness, could plant a seed that would grow into someone’s future?
We often think the grand gestures are what shape lives, but I’ve come to believe it’s the small, sincere moments that truly carry weight. A kind word. A listening ear. A spark of encouragement. Those are the things that anchor us when we feel adrift. Those are the moments that stick.
In that moment, reading that comment, I felt a wave of joy, humility, and deep gratitude. I felt seen—not for what I had achieved, but for who I had been in someone’s life when it mattered most.
This—this is why I do what I do. Not for recognition, not for accolades, not for promotions or praise. But for moments like this. For souls who just need a spark. For lives that just need someone to believe in them, even for a single moment.
And somehow, in the beautiful mystery of life, I was chosen to be that someone.
I felt the presence of something greater, something divine. I felt God’s blessing woven into that simple Facebook comment. A quiet affirmation, gentle and steady: *“Keep going. You are doing what you were born to do.”*
There’s something sacred about being entrusted with another person’s potential. I don’t take it lightly. I have always believed that helping people is not just a job—it’s a calling. A divine assignment that stretches far beyond a paycheck or a title. It’s about purpose. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up fully for others, even when you don’t realize the impact you’re making.
That message reminded me that words matter. That our everyday interactions hold more power than we know. We never truly see the ripple effect of our kindness. We don’t always get to witness the harvest from the seeds we plant. But sometimes, when we’re fortunate, someone reaches back across time to tell us: *“You made a difference.”*
And those moments… they are priceless.
I thought about the journey that person must have walked. The ups and downs, the choices, the perseverance. And somewhere in that journey, there was a conversation with me—brief, perhaps, but powerful. A moment when someone looked into their eyes and saw more than just who they were—someone who saw who they could become.
That’s the real gift: to be a mirror that reflects a person’s potential back to them until they believe it, too.
I am so fortunate, so incredibly blessed, to be given these opportunities. To be a voice of hope. To walk beside people as they grow into the best version of themselves. It humbles me. It energizes me. It fuels me to keep serving with all my heart, even on the hard days, even when I’m tired.
To that stranger—who’s not really a stranger at all: *Thank you.* Thank you for remembering. Thank you for reaching out. Thank you for reminding me why I began this journey in the first place. Your words touched my soul more than you’ll ever know.
And to anyone reading this, wondering if your words matter—please believe me: they do. Whether you’re encouraging a colleague, mentoring a student, raising a child, or simply speaking life into a friend—keep going. You never know who needs your voice. You never know who’s holding onto your words like a lifeline.
This mission continues.
It continues in quiet conversations, in everyday choices, in the unseen moments where hope is passed from one heart to another. It continues in each life we touch, each soul we lift, each future we help shape.
May we never underestimate the power of believing in someone.
Because one word can change a life.
React
