– Ripples –

You’re probably wondering, “what on earth is this picture.” Well, this is a picture of my pool. Fancy, I know; but, I’m not using it in that context. Rather, I’m using this picture to visualize a ripple effect. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny ripples in the water. Those little ripples are merely caused by small drops of rain sent down from Heaven to nurture God’s creation. This also isn’t the context I’m using this picture for. Although, the actual context is a metaphorical version of what I just said. See, the ripple effect also happens in people’s lives, whether it’s caused by a loving note passed from person to person or a bad mood that’s spreading like a disease. The two specific ripple effects I’ll touch on is the one caused by a blessing and the one caused by a lesson.

The definition of a ripple is, “a small wave or series of waves on the surface of the water, especially as caused by an object dropping into it or a slight breeze.” Like in water, our life will ripple when a blessing is dropped into it. Let me explain. Take a look at a specific blessing in your life, like a new job. This new job opportunity was sent down from Heaven as a blessing in your life. This new job brings community, lessons, money, a creative outlet for some people and more. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, or in other words, a series of waves caused by a blessing dropped into your life. Every blessing you have ever gotten in your life has caused a ripple effect without you even knowing it. Now, don’t confuse a blessing from a lesson. Lessons can also cause ripple effects. Some can be stronger than others, as well as more negative.

When dealing with a lesson, like, for example, the boy you liked didn’t turn out to be who you thought he was, the ripples can look a little wonky. They can be singleness, loneliness, hopelessness, and even loss of faith. But ripples caused by lessons stretch further to where you can’t see the end. When you see a lonely season of singleness, God sees time for Him so He can build you up for the guy He has for you. Everything God has ever made can be used metaphorically, and I think that He knew we would use His art for that purpose. Every ripple is His art like every life is a story He writes. I don’t know about you, but I think God likes His stories to have pictures, and that’s why everything He creates can be used to describe our life, like a ripple effect, or a storm. Keep an eye out for a ripple in your life, you might learn a good lesson. 🙂 -A