RIpples

 

 

According to Google ripples" can refer to small waves on a surface, especially water. It can also describe a sound or feeling that spreads through a group, or a concept in physics called the ripple effect, where one action causes a chain reaction of consequences. The last few days I have been thinking alot about ripples

Let's look at all three of these definitions. When I was little my brother and I would go down to the river and skip stones. If you did it right the stone would skip several times causing overlapping circles. How many skips you got depended on the size and shape of your stone, the angle and strength of your throow and the water condition. A tiny pebble could have a huge effect. 

Some dear friends of mine just lost their infant son. He was only a week old but the significance of his life and death is sending ripples throughout my community and my heart. One short, brillant, little life touching so many people's hearts and lives. His was a small, smooth stone surely cast by the hand of God.

Because of his life there is a sense of grief spreading throughout my church and my heart. I don't do grief well, never have. Yet also according to Google there are numerous benefits to grief including :

1. Newfound Wisdom and Maturity: Processing loss can lead to a greater sense of wisdom, personal maturity, and understanding of life's complexities.

2. Strengthened Relationships: Grief can deepen connections with others and allow for a greater understanding of what is truly important in life. 

3. Empowerment: Navigating grief can contribute to an elevated sense of control and empowerment, leading to a more positive outlook. 

4. Finding New Meaning: The process of grieving can help individuals discover new ways to find meaning and purpose in their lives. 

5. Honoring the Lost: Remembering a loved one and sharing memories can be a powerful way to honor their life and keep their memory alive.

More ripples as the heartbreak spreads. 

Probably the most powerful ripple though is the last one, the ripple effect, which is defined as the continued and spreading results of an event or action.  If you've read my blog you know I'm a fan of chaos, also called systems theory. One of its tenets is that everything is interconnected. Ripples are a physical reminder of this connection. One small life, one small ripple that continues as one life touches the next and one heart carries the burden of another.

I pray that as we process our grief the ripples will be, wisdom as a young couple matures all too early. Stronger relationships, as we gather and pray and bear one another's burdens. Spiritual empowerment only found by finding God in the deepest and darkest of valleys. A new or revived meaning and purpose as we try to give that brief life meaning and in this way our ripples honor the smooth small stone that started it all cast by the hand of God.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Community and connection

Image
 "Belonging is the innate desire to be part of something larger than us."  Brene Brown Imperfect We are made in the image of a Triune God. God exists in community the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When He first created man He saw that it was not good for man to be alone and He made Eve. This desire for connection goes down to our smallest level - the cell. A cell is the smallest living organism. The Types of Cells Human cells number in the trillions and are fundamental building blocks that form tissues, organs, and organ systems that work together to sustain life. Each cell type in the human body is specialized for distinct functions, from stem cells capable of becoming other cell types to nerve cells that transmit signals. Cells like osteocytes maintain bone structure, blood cells transport oxygen and fight infections, and adipocytes store energy and regulate various bodily functions. All the types of cells have to work together for a healthy human . When cells becom...
Read more

Power of the Blood

Image
 I am of the firm opinion that just as humanity reflects our Creator, the creation also has characteristics that can inform us about our Creator. Lately I've been thinking about blood. It is essential to our spiritual and physical lives. The very first time God used it to cover our sin was when He slaughtered an innocent animal to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. In Exodus 24:1-8 the first covenant between God and Israel was signified by blood. In the new covenant, it is Jesus's blood on the cross that supplies a new sacrifice on our behalf what the book of Hebrews calls a more perfect offering. The primary function of blood in the body is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to, and remove wastes from, the body's cells; but that is only the beginning. The specific functions of blood also include defense, and maintenance of homeostasis, such as distributing heat where it is needed. Before we get into the functions let's look at the composition of blood. Figure 18.1.2 ...
Read more

Photosynthesis

Image
As someone who is convinced that I have worlds to learn about love I thought I would take the lessons of the hydrologic cycle a little further and consider photosynthesis.   Photosynthesis is, at its core, an  energy conversion process . Input Energy:  Light energy (photons) from the sun. Output Energy:  Chemical potential energy stored in the covalent bonds of organic molecules, primarily glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆). This transformation occurs when organisms produce  carbon compounds  (like glucose) using light as the energy source. The key words here being conversion and transformation. It’s an  anabolic  process, meaning it b uilds complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy input. Reactants: Six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and six molecules of water (H₂O). Energy Source: Light energy. Products: One molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and six molecules of oxygen (O₂). Key components: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Absorbed from t...
Read more