The Ripple Effect

Matthew 16:21-22 "From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!”…

Have you ever wondered why I call this blog site "IMPACT?" It's because whether we like it or not, our very existence is making an IMPACT on somebody... So I made a choice a long time ago to try and make the biggest, positive IMPACT on as many people as I could and I want it to become like a virus... spreading from one person to the next! By now you all should know how fast a virus can spread and affect everyone's life! You will hear me talk a lot about positive ripple effects, and I will continue until we start seeing a difference...

Unfortunately, my dad passed away a little over a month ago and when things like this happen we start looking at our own lives and all the things we want to accomplish, we realize all of the things that occupy our time that really don't matter! Most of all we begin to question God... "Why do you allow some to suffer before death and some seem to go with ease." Why do others lose their lives at such a young age? Yeah we've all had those questions swirling around in our heads and the usual answer you hear is, only God knows why... That's still not comforting when we're hurting, I know...

Think of this; Jesus was on this earth for 33 years! He only ministered for 3 years according to what is written... In the scripture above He told His followers about His upcoming death and they were like yeah, whatever... don't talk like that dude... but only a few days later, He was gone in the most violent way they had ever seen! Remember, to them He was there to take control from Rome and to liberate the chosen people... and here He was, nailed to a cross.... I bet they had those same questions... "why would you take Him so soon, He was just getting started?" But like Jesus said, His work was finished...

As people begin to tell stories about my dad one thing is common in all the stories, he had a work ethic and sense of loyalty that was contagious. No matter what, he never let life get him down, and if you were a friend, he had your back no matter what. His IMPACT created some amazing ripples... during his limited time on this earth, he used it to change the lives of everyone around him... no he wasn't perfect, but the good definitely out weighed the bad!

I'll close with this... Whether you believe in Jesus or not, His IMPACT is undeniable! He ministered for only 3 years, grabbed a bunch of fishermen to follow Him, and He did all of this in a 3rd world country without internet or telephones! His IMPACT has been causing ripples for centuries... What will people say about you when God decides your work here is done... what will be your lasting IMPACT?

I love you all, Poppy Todd

"No one can take your dreams away from you but YOU!"