Today, while at work, my secretaries were having an argument with the computer printer. For whatever reason, a postcard sized piece of paper was stuck in the printer with what seemed to be no way out. When I came out of my office, I saw the two of them struggling with this piece of paper that was causing havoc on their work productivity. Although Kenny and I both know that he is "Mr. Fix-it" in our house, I agreed to look at the problem. With God's grace and a little ingenuity on my part, I figured out how to get the paper out and managed to keep the printer in one piece. No broken parts. As we were doing the happy dance and the printer returned to normal functioning capacity, I glanced at the paper that I pulled out of the printer. Here's what it said...
Jesus tells the apostles that they are to witness everywhere "to the ends of the earth." As disciples, we too are called to witness. Like a tiny pebble dropped into a pool of water, the effects of what we do ripple outward in increasingly wider circles. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the little ways we give witness to God's love, goodness, and mercy ripple out, often farther than we can imagine.
I understood very clearly that this entire scenario was not about me helping my secretaries unjam the printer or my ability to "fix" something. I believe it was about me receiving the message on the paper that we retrieved from the printer.
Something about the effects of what we do ripple outward made me stop and think...yes, we are adopting Julianna because we have fallen in love with her and believe it is the right thing for our family and for her. But, I never stopped to truly realize how far reaching our lifegiving Christ-like selfless actions may effect others. It is a humbling thought...and is affirming of the decision that we have made to bring Julianna home!
Jesus tells the apostles that they are to witness everywhere "to the ends of the earth." As disciples, we too are called to witness. Like a tiny pebble dropped into a pool of water, the effects of what we do ripple outward in increasingly wider circles. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the little ways we give witness to God's love, goodness, and mercy ripple out, often farther than we can imagine.
I understood very clearly that this entire scenario was not about me helping my secretaries unjam the printer or my ability to "fix" something. I believe it was about me receiving the message on the paper that we retrieved from the printer.
Something about the effects of what we do ripple outward made me stop and think...yes, we are adopting Julianna because we have fallen in love with her and believe it is the right thing for our family and for her. But, I never stopped to truly realize how far reaching our lifegiving Christ-like selfless actions may effect others. It is a humbling thought...and is affirming of the decision that we have made to bring Julianna home!