You Are Amazing

"You are unique, wonderful, and amazing."
I first heard this line repeated by one of my friends over two years ago. I thought it was lame. Just another line that speakers like to repeat until they are meaningless.
About two months later I heard Justin Fatica use that phrase in his talk. I smiled recognizing it, but again thought this is another talk that won't apply to me. (I had spent hours upon hours listening to speakers that summer.) By the middle of the talk though, I was in tears. The words he spoke struck me deeply. I went home and changed something I was doing. Not only that but two years later I still remember the message he preached.
What was this great life-changing mission? Everyone needs to know that they are amazing, that they have value, that they have a specific role in this world, that they are irreplaceable. Justin challenged those of us at the conference, who know this truth, who have good families, who know the faith- to spread this message. To be the one in school who stands up for others, to let those around us know they are amazing. At least, that is the message I got.
I may not have made huge changes, but I got involved in my youth group again. I stopped asking what can I get out of this friendship or that activity, but how can I be there for others, how can I be Christ to them.
"You are unique, wonderful, and amazing."
I was further challenged by this same line this December. I went to NYC with a group of great friends. We wandered the streets, saw the sights, sang Christmas carols, and had a blast. One of the guys, Daniel, has been working with Justin in his ministry. He told everyone they were amazing, the vendors on the street, the homeless woman begging for money, the cashier in Starbucks, our waitress, the people on the subway, even the woman dressed as a toilet in Charmin's restrooms. Sometimes people smiled or said thank you, one guy told him to shut up. But overall he brightened so many people's days, just by saying three simple words.
I want to do that. I don't have the confidence to go up to strangers and tell them I think they are amazing quite yet. But that is my goal. I've seen how it brightens lives, and had a few simple words brighten mine as well. So, that is my new year's resolution....to let people know they are amazing just the way they are!

Pax Christi!