The year was 1815, the location a river bank near Ecclefechan, a small village on the Scottish-English border. An attractive young woman sat quietly reading a novel. Yet her mind was not really on the story before her. She was too preoccupied by the painful circumstances that had brought her to this place.

Jane D’Esterre’s young husband, John, had died in a public duel not long before. His death left her with two small children, yet feeling very alone. She was emotionally devastated, financially pressed and spiritually perplexed.

Jane had grown up in England. She came from a family of musicians. Her father routinely led the annual Handel festivals at Westminster Abbey. All of the glitter of the English court was familiar to her, and she too was a gifted musician.

That happy life, however, now seemed like a distant memory. Her world had crumbled and she was actually questioning the purpose of going on with life at all. Then suddenly, with such thoughts crowding her mind, Jane spotted a young farmer entering a large field across the river from where she sat. It immediately became apparent that he was quite skilled in his work. And although the task before him was daunting, he faced it with enthusiasm and determination. As he plowed the field, he whistled – mostly hymns of the Christian faith. And slowly but surely, with great efficiency, he conquered that field.

Watching the whistling plowboy was like a potent medicine for Jane D’Esterre. His optimistic courage lifted her spirits, and she quickly drew from his example a new lease on life. After all, there still was work for her to do. Her children needed her. She would get up and return home to Dublin, Ireland. She would turn to Jesus Christ. He would accept her, forgive her sins and direct her path.

Fourteen years later, Jane married Capt. John Guinness, son of the founder of the famous Dublin brewery. With him she raised a large family. She modeled Christ to her progeny. And she diligently prayed for many future generations of her family.

In the intervening years, God has answered those prayers. Today many descendents of Jane Guinness credit her faithful intercession as that which released God’s blessing on the Guinness family.

One great-great-grandson, Dr. Os Guinness, longtime associate of the late Francis Schaeffer (L’Abri Fellowship, Switzerland), is a good example. And it is he who once wrote: “In an age that endlessly celebrates celebrity and shamelessly consumes the lives of the rich and famous, it is salutary to remember the ancient Jewish and Christian axiom: Many of the greatest heroes are unknown and unsung, unaware of their own significance.”

Never underestimate the degree of your influence in this world. Every day you meet people facing some private challenge. And every day there are those who are watching you, even when you may not know it.

“You’re writing a Gospel, a chapter each day, by the things that you do and the words that you say. Folks read what you write whether faithless or true. Say, what is the Gospel according to you?” (Author unknown)

The great evangelist Charles Haddon Spurgeon reportedly once entered a large building where he was to preach that evening. He went in thinking that the place was vacant and that he would just test the acoustics. He spoke these words to an apparently empty building: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Unbeknownst to Spurgeon, a lone workman far up in the gallery heard those words and decided to come to the evening service. That night he received Christ as his savior.

Do you work in a corner where it seems that few, if any, ever notice the quality of your work? Does your boss often seem to take you for granted?

The Bible says, “Obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

The source of information for the story about Jane D’Esterre Guinness related in this column is the booklet “A Guinness with a Difference” by Derick Bingham. For a free copy, write to: TBF Thompson Ministries, 12 Killyvally Road Garvagh, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland BT51 5JZ. The Rev. Daryl E. Witmer is founder and director of the AIIA Institute, a national apologetics ministry, and associate pastor of the Monson Community Church. He may be reached at the Web site AIIA.ChristianAnswers.net or by e-mail at AIIAInstitute@aol.com. Voices is a weekly commentary by Maine people who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.