Pebbles dropped in water, such as a stream, pond, lake, river or even the ocean cause what has long been called “the ripple effect.”  Others have written about the ripple effect within us and around us, brought on by our interactions with others. I’ve recently thought of the people who were pebbles in my life. While many ripple effects took place long before I reached adulthood, I have been thinking recently about people who served as pebbles in my life as a “grown up.” 

A former coworker of my husband calls him frequently to see how we are. My husband worked with this gentleman for 41 years. He was encouraged by this gentleman to move into a dispatch position in the company.  That tiny pebble he dropped in my husband‘s lap is one of the reasons we met.  You see, I worked for the same company, but in a city three hours away. A second pebble was dropped by his new supervisor who basically dared my husband to come meet me after several phone calls to share work information.  Those two pebbles directed the path of our lives together. 

I am so thankful for many other people who are pebbles in my life. The pebble that sent us to the right  hospital when our premature triplets were about to be born. The pebble that led me to see an advertisement for a new church preschool. The pebbles that guided us during several medical emergencies.  The pebble that led the heart surgeon to learn all possible options for a faulty heart valve before operating on our 20 year old son. The countless other pebbles that placed many loved ones and close friends in our lives. 

I’ve even been a pebble for someone myself. One wonderful woman shared with me years after we met about the impact I had in her life. It led her to consider a career change and she is now a well loved teacher.  Amazingly, when she shared what I had unknowingly done for her, she unknowingly helped me through a very, very difficult week. (I have shared with her how she impacted my life as well.) Such a small thing that makes such a great impact! Take time to think about the people that have been pebbles in your life. If possible, find a way to let them know how much they impacted you. And ask God to lead you to be a pebble in someone’s life.   

I can’t end a blog on pebbles without sharing a song from my favorite childhood cartoon. Arriving home from school to watch The Flintstones was always a treat. Whenever the episode aired about Pebbles and Bam Bam’s singing career, my sisters and I always begged our Granny to play (on the piano) their song for us for the rest of that week.  I am so thankful for the pebbles that created the technology that allows me to share this song with you.  Listen to the words, smile and Let the Sunshine In! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bh6vBD5CVI