The Ripple Effect (part I)

Now that Spring has sprung, we are loving our time outdoors. Every day we take a long neighborhood walk, that has recently started incorporating a hike through the Nature Preserve. One thing that is an absolute must is a pausing by every body of water we pass (stream, brook, and yes - even puddles). Water cannot be ignored without someone making ripples. The girls have taught Eben that throwing rocks and sticks makes a fantastic splash sending ripples throughout; they're even becoming master spitters which they find terribly funny. With all of these ripples going around, I couldn't help but compare it to life.

Our dear adopted Grandpa here in Jersey just passed from this life this month. At his memorial were people young and old who were blessed with the rippling effect of knowing Papa Jack. With each year he was granted here, he touched lives. There were those he helped on a daily basis all 82 years of his life, but there were also those who he only knew for a brief time, like us. Yet he used that precious little time to make a lasting impression that we'll carry with us throughout our lives.

I'm one of those people who was given an indescribable opportunity in being born into my family; I do not take that for granted. Both sets of grandparents were God-loving Christians. They taught their children the words of our Lord, who in turn taught their children, who are now in the process of teaching their children. What an amazing ripple is being passed from generation to generation. I pray the ripples I am sending out are positive ones that only bring about more and more good. What a terrifying, awesome, and humbling responsiblity!