Ripples of Life
Lazily I contemplated the circles that
began with the pebble dropped into the lake.
The circles seemed to be unending, often intersecting with a new group
of circles. Wrinkles of water that
spread continually….across the surface of the water like circles of people
enjoying relationships.
began with the pebble dropped into the lake.
The circles seemed to be unending, often intersecting with a new group
of circles. Wrinkles of water that
spread continually….across the surface of the water like circles of people
enjoying relationships.
The more I thought about those groups
of circles, I realized that my life has been like a pebble dropped into the
water, encircling new relationships.
From early life, as I made friends, the ripples began. In Clinton, Oklahoma, to Watonga, Oklahoma. Then college, and marriage brought another
series of circles, circles of relationships from Piedmont to Joplin to Howard,
to Minneola, to Hinton, to Dodge City, to Collinsville, to Rogers and to
Champaign. (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas) Each circle brought new people and new
experiences that brought new memories to cherish.
of circles, I realized that my life has been like a pebble dropped into the
water, encircling new relationships.
From early life, as I made friends, the ripples began. In Clinton, Oklahoma, to Watonga, Oklahoma. Then college, and marriage brought another
series of circles, circles of relationships from Piedmont to Joplin to Howard,
to Minneola, to Hinton, to Dodge City, to Collinsville, to Rogers and to
Champaign. (Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas) Each circle brought new people and new
experiences that brought new memories to cherish.
Each move promised exciting
adventures. I have been learning the
basics of maintaining relationships and the whys of being on this earth. Now, after our last move, again I ponder with
wonder the Truth of God. And I think of
the dear ones I have left and the new dear ones I have yet to meet.
adventures. I have been learning the
basics of maintaining relationships and the whys of being on this earth. Now, after our last move, again I ponder with
wonder the Truth of God. And I think of
the dear ones I have left and the new dear ones I have yet to meet.
It was not always so. When I was fifteen years old, I wondered why
our music teacher chose such a song for us to sing, No Man is an Island.
our music teacher chose such a song for us to sing, No Man is an Island.
No man is an island,
No man stands alone,
Each man’s joy is joy to me,
Each man’s grief is my own.
No man stands alone,
Each man’s joy is joy to me,
Each man’s grief is my own.
No man is an island,
Way out in the blue,
We all look to the one above,
For our strength to renew.
Way out in the blue,
We all look to the one above,
For our strength to renew.
We need one another,
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend.
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend.
Now as I review the lyrics, once sung
unbelievingly, brings me to understand what the lyrics meant to the author.
unbelievingly, brings me to understand what the lyrics meant to the author.
God
has used the many moves to teach me.
When I read Acts 8 story of Philip and the Eunuch, I realize I have had
a purpose, as purposed by God. Have I
listened to the Spirit, as Philip did? Now an angel of the Lord
said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down
from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26) After
Philip taught and baptized the Eunuch, Philip’s time with Eunuch ended: And when they came up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw
him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)
has used the many moves to teach me.
When I read Acts 8 story of Philip and the Eunuch, I realize I have had
a purpose, as purposed by God. Have I
listened to the Spirit, as Philip did? Now an angel of the Lord
said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down
from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26) After
Philip taught and baptized the Eunuch, Philip’s time with Eunuch ended: And when they came up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw
him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)
It was a short-lived relationship but a
relationship that had ever-after consequences in His Kingdom. Philip recognized His voice and allowed God
to use him because he was in a relationship with God. An awesome thought… Being available with an ear attuned to the
will of God is another way to define a relationship with Him. In Him our relationships with others become a
living testimony to His Love.
relationship that had ever-after consequences in His Kingdom. Philip recognized His voice and allowed God
to use him because he was in a relationship with God. An awesome thought… Being available with an ear attuned to the
will of God is another way to define a relationship with Him. In Him our relationships with others become a
living testimony to His Love.
As I wonder about the many people God
has placed in my life, I wonder what kind of relationships did I miss out
because I did not listen to God’s Spirit or was unavailable? Then I wonder why David was a man of God’s
own heart. What made David special in
God’s eyes? Surely a man who made as
many mistakes as David did, could only incur God’s Wrath. Yet, I see David through his writing,
forgiven and praising God.
has placed in my life, I wonder what kind of relationships did I miss out
because I did not listen to God’s Spirit or was unavailable? Then I wonder why David was a man of God’s
own heart. What made David special in
God’s eyes? Surely a man who made as
many mistakes as David did, could only incur God’s Wrath. Yet, I see David through his writing,
forgiven and praising God.
• He put a
new song in my mouth, a song of praise to
our God. Many will see and
fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3
new song in my mouth, a song of praise to
our God. Many will see and
fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3
• Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil
within me? Hope in God; for I
shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
Psalm 43:5
within me? Hope in God; for I
shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
Psalm 43:5
• Sing
praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the
earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:6-8
praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the
earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Psalm 47:6-8
The relationships which God placed in
the ever-widening circle of my life were gifts given to me to enrich my life in
many ways. There was a time when pride made many relationships difficult. Then God in his richness of wisdom, taught me
humility again and again. With David I learned how great is our God. His forgiveness is unending, Is it any wonder that we are to be as little
children who trust infinitely, love withholding nothing and whose laughter
touches the depths of our hearts? When
all seems lost, there is no where else to turn, but to our Jehovah Jireh. He
longs to be the center of our lives, in relationship with us and in us, in so many ways. He is our Sustainer, our Life-Giver, the
Giver of Living Water, our Shield and Redeemer.
Our All in All. When the words
in Galatians 5:22-23 sweep through my mind, I know that He is the author of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Against such there is no law.
the ever-widening circle of my life were gifts given to me to enrich my life in
many ways. There was a time when pride made many relationships difficult. Then God in his richness of wisdom, taught me
humility again and again. With David I learned how great is our God. His forgiveness is unending, Is it any wonder that we are to be as little
children who trust infinitely, love withholding nothing and whose laughter
touches the depths of our hearts? When
all seems lost, there is no where else to turn, but to our Jehovah Jireh. He
longs to be the center of our lives, in relationship with us and in us, in so many ways. He is our Sustainer, our Life-Giver, the
Giver of Living Water, our Shield and Redeemer.
Our All in All. When the words
in Galatians 5:22-23 sweep through my mind, I know that He is the author of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Against such there is no law.
In this relationship is freedom and a belonging
that feeds the soul. He is my ever- new
song that I sing, not in a voice rusty with age, but a new voice of hope and a
crescendo of growing joy and praise! And
to those within the many circles of family and friends, may you know that you
have encouraged me and brought me to this place in life that is ours
together.
that feeds the soul. He is my ever- new
song that I sing, not in a voice rusty with age, but a new voice of hope and a
crescendo of growing joy and praise! And
to those within the many circles of family and friends, may you know that you
have encouraged me and brought me to this place in life that is ours
together.
Comments? eacombs@att.net