Careful … Your Wake Is Spreading!

A spreading wake

             Behind you the wake spreads!

 

It began for us in 1957 when a twelve year old girl and fourteen year old boy looked at each other for the first time and thought, “Hmmm!”

Six years later the two became one. The “Hmmm” became “Ahhh!”

But soon the two who had become one became in reality four when two sons were born. Four quickly turned into six as each married and then … well, you know where this is going. At last count the two had become fourteen. And when Paul (Walterman, not the Apostle) looked at what he had helped create, he said, “It is good. It is very good!”

This morning as Joanie and I stood outside on a beautiful, cold Oregon morning surrounded by our progeny for family pictures I was thinking not only of growing families, but of other things that grow behind us.

It’s true that some things diminish behind us as we move through life. (Strength, muscle tone and eyesight come easily to mind.) Yet equally true is the fact that much of what we leave in our wake spreads outward, in a rippling effect. And that happens whether we live well or badly.

Those traveling in our wake can either slow down to allow more separation from us, or speed up to get closer. The spreading of a bitter spirit or uncontrolled anger will leave few who wish to travel with us. On the other hand, kindness, graciousness and a humble heart will cause people to hurry to get to walk alongside us.

No man or woman is an island. We never live only to ourselves, nor do we ever sin only unto ourselves. Even our right choices seldom benefit just us. Our lives touch many around us – we always affect them by the way we are living.

If you happen to glance behind you with spiritual perception you will see the “two becoming fourteen” principle at work. We are not called to pilot a ‘garbage scow’ out to sea to dump its smelly cargo! Instead, God calls us to spread his Kingdom joy and its life-altering principles in our wake. We are to be and leave a sweet aroma to those around us on our journey.

Remember, we only go around once on this journey of life. So as we travel, let’s make sure we’re leaving the aroma of life and love and joy behind us.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop

that cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.

Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light

to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see,

so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:14-16 New Living Translation

 

 

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