Making a difference

I heard an awesome sermon this weekend. It was one of those times when you realize that God is trying to get your attention. Do you know what I am talking about? Several different ways through out the last couple of weeks I have been hearing a version of this particular message. How am I making a difference? I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor and there are a number of ways that I can love and serve those around me. God gives me opportunities each day...the questions is what do I do with them?
The following is from the Barna Group based on research regarding the young (18-29 yr old) unchristians perception of Evangelicals. The Common negative perceptions include that present-day Christianity is judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), old-fashioned (78%), and too involved in politics (75%) - representing large proportions of young outsiders who attach these negative labels to Christians.
Even among young Christians, many of the negative images generated significant traction. Half of young churchgoers said they perceive Christianity to be judgmental, hypocritical, and too political. One-third said it was old-fashioned and out of touch with reality.
What am I doing to perpetuate such perceptions? How can I help change them?
Well for me the answer starts here with these two precious little ones entrusted to my care. My goal is to teach them to live as Christ...Christ extendened grace and love. He wasn't hyprocritical...His actions were always consistent with the words that came out of His mouth. Politics...Christ was about loving people and restoring them to a right relationship with the Father. Old fashioned? Out of touch with reality? Loving people will never be old fashioned or out of touch with reality! My hope is that I can live in such a way that this is what my children come to understand it means to live as Christ. No small order. I am human. I have bad days. I am selfish and bound to let them down. But the word says:
Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."
I know this is truth and I know this is how I can make a difference. Now I need to pay attention, as stated by my good friend Diahan, and look for ways to love others as Christ loves. And this my friends is a good way to start changing the perception of Christians today.