“We never have the luxury of hurting only ourselves.”

A thought by Erwin Raphael McManus from his book, Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment (Kindle Locations 2410-2411). Kindle Edition.

I read at least two newspapers every day and for the last while I have been reading about the two high school football players who had been at a party drinking and who had raped a 16 year old passed out girl. Well this weekend they were found guilty and these two boys and their parents took it pretty hard. There was one father of one of the guilty boys who had been an alcoholic in front of his son and who said with deep emotion that he was to blame. He felt responsible because he had not been a father figure.

Now many alcoholic fathers will say, “I’m not hurting anyone but myself” but this sad story shows that it isn’t the truth. Our influence as parents goes a long way in the development of those around us.

Now of course this young man is responsible for his own action but the father was an influence. There are so many who will be hurt by the aggressive, violent action upon this young teenage girl. As Erwin says, “We never have the luxury of hurting only ourselves. When we hurt ourselves, others are always affected. ”

The opposite is also true. He says, “When we choose to do what is right, what is true, what is good, it always bleeds over into the lives of others.”

What a tragic story both for the young girl and for these young boys. Their lives will never be the same.

So which side do you want your influence to be on, good or bad?

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