MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I am in Washington, D.C. addressing the House Committee on Education. I am suggesting that patterns of schooling and education of some foreign countries, specifically Hong Kong, might provide some valuable lessons for America. The Representatives and staff listen politely, ask some good questions, thank me for my insights and excuse me. As I now reflect I am clear on one thing: My presentation did not make any difference.

I am again in Washington. This time at the White House. I am with three carefully selected Roman Catholic bishops and an influential rabbi. Finally, after months of using the right channels, getting the schedule organized to the minute and having our respective “talking points” finely tuned, we await our time with the President. Just before we are to be with him, an aide appears. “An international situation has just surfaced. The President will be unable to meet with you.” I quickly stuff into my pockets a few White House embossed napkins as souvenirs to prove that I did in fact have an appointment with the President of the United States. My appearance at the White House certainly never made a difference.

It’s as tough an assignment as I’ve ever been given. A major denomination is in the midst of an ecclesiastical civil war. Finally, the decision is made to bring together spokespersons for the various factions. Put them together for 3 days, face to face, heart to heart, and try to resolve the issues. I am asked to facilitate the process. It looks to me like it worked. There were open conversations, new insights, overtures for peace. I feel good about it. But then “the powers that were” decided not to opt for peace. The denomination fractured. I made no difference.

I am the facilitator for an international gathering of the members of a venerable and highly respected order of Catholic priests. The order has ministries worldwide, owns multi-million dollars worth of property, and is awash with liquid assets. However, it does not have new members of the order. By its own canons all members must live in community; but there are not enough “religious” to form communities at all of their ministry sites. They want to reach consensus on which ministries to close, which to transfer to other entities, which to consolidate. They have 3 days to complete the process. I am to facilitate this. At the end of the three days there is no consensus. My efforts did not make any difference.

I am with a young couple who have just (for the second time in 24 months) gone through the stillbirth of an infant. I am there to listen, to puzzle, to grieve, to pray, to just hold them in my arms. I make a difference.

I meet a man who is retiring after years of successful service as a classroom teacher. He tells me, “Remember that night in the parking lot in Hutchington, Kansas? I had given up. I decided to quit teaching, maybe go dig ditches somewhere. You listened, you counseled, you encouraged. I tried again and the last years of my teaching were by far the most enjoyable and successful of my life.” I have made a difference.

Making a difference. Sometimes it’s not at some grand national or international level, but in a quiet, virtually unnoticed private encounter among just two or three that a difference is made.