Your Ever-Widening Circle of Influence

Gold Brush Stroke

It begins with two. Him and her. Beginning a life together.

Something so small—just two—grows large through the years. A couple joined becomes more. Blessings added through the years.

As the numbers grow, so. too, does their influence. The circle expands. The reach widens.

A legacy left is a legacy widely felt. Compounded by children’s children—and then their children. And then there are all those other contacts….

influence one matters

Every person you influence influences someone else … and the circle grows. It may seem insignificant in the big scheme of things, but reaching one person with the truth of God’s love, truth, and grace has far-reaching implications. 

Reaching one person with the truth of God's love, truth, and grace has far-reaching implications. Share on X

It’s easy to think your impact is limited. But the expanding arc of relationships propels your influence far from home.

It's easy to think your impact is limited. But the expanding arc of relationships propels your influence far from home. Share on X

Legacy

What are those lessons you are teaching? What is the legacy you will leave?

The beginning of a family’s influence may be small, just two, but compounding casts its impact far and wide.

Such a concept terrifies me … and excites me.

Thank God I have His guidance in this life.  Maybe, just maybe, my influence won’t be so bad after all.

And maybe what began with two small rings and a pair of “I do’s” will become an ever-widening circle of disciples—all praising and glorifying the Lord.

All by His grace. Amen!

family2-

How am I influencing my circle?

“Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch I planted, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified. The least will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am Yahweh; I will accomplish it quickly in its time” (Isaiah 60:21-23).

Reflections: Have you thought of your influence as small or far-reaching? How are you impacting those in your circle? 

Linking with Lisa-Jo where a crowd writes uninhibited for 5 minutes (or a few more) on a given topic. It is a wonderful exercise in letting the words flow. Click the button to check out more posts or consider linking up yourself. Today’s topic is “Small.”

Five Minute Friday

By His Grace,

Julie

10 Comments

  1. Nancy Wike on August 16, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    So true. Our church staff has been focusing on this very thing over the past year and have developed a strategy that ties everything together from preschool through high school and also teaches and equips parents to disciple their kids. I have been more intentional about discipling my child over the past year that I ever have before, and I hope that what he is learning and seeing in me will be something he remembers long after I am gone.

    • Julie Sunne on August 16, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Amen, Nancy, and good for you! I wish I would have started discipling my children earlier.

  2. Julie on August 16, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Beautiful!! My prayers for my children change as they change and grow. I know there are many places in their life, as I look back, that I should have done things differently or should of said this or done that to prepare them in becoming an adult. I am very thankful that God is here with us guiding us and taking over where I may have lacked. I pray so hard sometimes that my children turn to him and listen to him and his guidance that it huts. Thanks for the reassurance that he is always there with his love, guidance, teachings and forgiveness
    .

    • Julie Sunne on August 16, 2013 at 9:11 pm

      You are definitely not alone, Julie! I feel the same way. Only by the grace of God can my parenting be successful.

  3. Sabrina on August 17, 2013 at 12:30 am

    Just dropping in from the FMF linkup. What a great reminder that though we may feel our influence or reach is small, we truly have no idea of the impact and legacy we’re showing and leaving behind. This is great encouragement to keep living right.

    • Julie Sunne on August 17, 2013 at 8:38 am

      Thanks, Sabrina. Yes, there is a snowball effect with our influence–whether good or bad. It is important to be aware of.

  4. Caroline @UnderGod'sMightyHand on August 17, 2013 at 10:28 am

    Ooh, I love this, Julie. Yes, we impact so many by way of family in particular.

    • Julie Sunne on August 17, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      Indeed, Caroline! Another online friend pointed out how much our influence is increased by the media, especially the digital age.

  5. Cecelia Lester (Quiet Spirit) on August 17, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    We really don’t know how we influence others. I helped a friend organize a time when people at our former little church assisted a sister church in our town. She thanked me for not saying anything discouraging about the effort. I felt humbled by her words,

    • Julie Sunne on August 17, 2013 at 9:17 pm

      So true, Cecelia! Sounds like you were a positive influence without even knowing it.

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Julie Sunne

Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.

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