Today started with an early morning run to clear away the fog and begin to process the many thoughts and emotions in my head. Running is one of only a few things that really clear my head and help me process life. Writing is another. One reigning thought/prayer seems to prevail this week- “What the heck God!?!”  A young lady that I am blessed to call friend said these same words a few weeks ago when speaking to students at our church. And it perfectly describes the heaviness in my heart this week. Kiley, the young lady I mentioned, spoke on suffering. Her dad has been battling brain cancer for a little over a year and her family had just received some difficult news regarding his prognosis and time left here on earth. Little did she know at the time, that she would in fact begin her own battle with the exact same disease only a few short days later. So I write today, not sure where exactly my scattered thoughts will take this or how God will pull all of it together in His perfect way, but being confident that He will.

Do you ever stop and think about the “ripple effect” that we all have in our lives? You know how when you throw a rock into the water it causes a ripple effect? The rock hits the water in one spot, but it creates cascading ripples through the surrounding water as well. Creating a ripple effect. Let’s face it, who hasn’t had at least one rock thrown into their pool or stream these past few months! The more I have pondered this idea, the more I am convicted about the ripple effect that is created by the rocks that come in life. In many ways this conviction comes from watching this sweet family take rock after rock with grace and confidence in God. The rocks are BIG and impacting HARD, but the ripples they are creating are nothing short of amazing! They have not lost their focus or confidence in their Savior, Jesus. They are bold in their faith and witness. They stand together as a family, surrounded by their community of believers, hands raised in praise. They are creating God ripples! Ripples that will move and live long past this season of suffering.

And while I am certain there are times when this family has been and are completely broken and crying out to God – What the heck!?! To many of us on the outside looking in, we see peace. We see grace. We see love. We see unshaken confidence in Jesus. We see a powerful witness! It is amazing and convicting at the same time. Amazing because God has been and continues to use their suffering to share His story with countless others. Convicting because many of the much smaller rocks impacting my life, I must confess, have not been handled with nearly us much grace.

It seems as though I’m in need of a daily reminder that none of these rocks have been a surprise to God. Not a single one. He knew each and every one, how big they would be, when they’d be thrown and where they would land. Jesus never said following Him would be easy. In fact he said the exact opposite. In John 16:33 He says “in this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world”. Peter also tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “be alert because our enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” It is easy to forget that we are in a battle, a life and death battle with eternal implications. We have to stop letting life pass us by. Instead we need to pick up and actually put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and step up to the battle lines. Not alone, but behind our Savior who is already there, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Because we were never intended to be alone – Ecclesiastes 4:12 “And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

While there are days when this season of suffering seems unending and the rocks continue to be thrown. We have a choice every single day about the type of ripple effect we will leave. Will it be a God ripple or will it be more of a thrashing around type of ripple leaving only more chaos? Personally, I am inspired to be better. Desiring to live a life filled with grace, love and unshakable confidence in Jesus. Knowing that on those days when the rocks are big and hard, my community – the one God has graciously surrounded me with, will fight with me and for me. In the same way I will do for them because that is what family does!

Let me leave you with some of the lyrics from “Rattle” by Elevation Worship, Here is a link in case you want to listen –https://youtu.be/xrAdbH28gIg. These words are refreshing to my soul these days. Not to mention you can listen to it really loud if you are like me and sometimes just need to feel the music deep inside your soul!