* It took me almost the whole day to write this because life provides lots of little interruptions! (I returned on August 15th to add a picture, some song lyrics by Kenneth Cope, and a passage from Brad Wilcox's book.)
I
have been fascinated with three related phrases for several years. A person’s “sphere
of influence” is the area where they have power to change or influence things. When
an object is dropped in water, it sends out ripples that expand across the water.
Likewise, when an event occurs that has a lasting, exponential impact, it is often
referred to as a “ripple effect.” Sometimes, when it isn’t possible to pay back
a kindness, a person may choose to “pay it forward as a way to express their
gratitude. Perhaps, one of the reasons for my interest in these phrases is that
they can all be applied to the atoning sacrifice of our Savior and our response
to its effect on our lives.
Neal A. Maxwell eloquently explained,
“ Recall the new star that
announced the birth at Bethlehem? It was in its precise orbit long before it so
shone. We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate…. Part of God’s ‘ample
provision’ consists of imperfect people like you and me, committed to shining
and serving in our appointed orbits, knowing all the while that we are
encircled ‘in the arms of [His] love’ (D&C 6:20)” (“Encircled in the Arms of His Love,” Ensign, November 2002).
Hilary Weeks wrote about how she
struggled with feeling inadequate earlier in her life. “As I drove home I was
feeling kind of bad about myself. Then the Spirit whispered a thought that has
changed my life: Don’t worry about what others think of you. Worry about
what they think of themselves when they are with you.” Now she compliments people,
thinks of interesting questions to ask, and smiles first. She continues,
“Focusing on others takes the worry away and helps me to be happy and confident”
(Believe in What You’re Doing, Believe in Who You Are, pp. 19-20). As I mentioned in the previous chapter, I have spent
a few minutes with Hilary on several different occasions over the past six
years and she does just that.
I drove up to Bountiful with a friend to attend a dinner party on August 19, 2017. This picture was taken as we were helping my friend to prepare the wontons for our Chinese dinner.
I'm sitting next to Kenneth Cope and his wife. I was grateful to have the chance to thank him for his uplifting music. I attended Especially For Youth at BYU in 1986 and he wrote the theme song that year. On my full-time mission, I played his song, "Pass It On" (from the 1993 EFY cassette tape I loved listening to before I left home) as part of a message during some of our dinner appointments with members in the area. I made a CD of some of my favorite inspirational music a few years ago and it includes the song, "Broken," which he wrote with Eliza Cope. It uplifts me each time I hear it. (It is one of the songs on the 2005
EFY CD titled A More Excellent Way.) Below are most of the powerful lyrics:
Broken
clouds give rain
Broken soil
grows grain
Broken bread
feeds man for one more day
Broken storms yield light
The break of
day heals night
Broken pride
turns blindness into sight
Broken souls
that need His mending
Broken
hearts for offering
Could it be
that God loves broken things
Broken chains set free
Broken swords bring peace
Broken walls make friends of you and me
To break the ranks of sin
To break the news of Him
To put on Christ 'til His name feels broken in
...And, yet, our broken faith, our broken promises
Sent love to the cross
And still, that broken flesh, that broken heart of His
Offers us such grace and mercy
Covers us with love undeserving
This broken soul that cries for mending
This broken heart for offering
I'm convinced that God loves broken me
Praise His name – my God loves broken things...
I'm grateful for his willingness to share his singing and songwriting talent that blesses my life and the lives of countless others.
I was given the opportunity to sit at the same table with Brad Wilcox and his wife during the actual dinner. It was just the three of us, which also gave me the chance to thank him for the lasting impact his July 2011 BYU devotional talk, "His Grace is Sufficient," has made on my life. Brad is a BYU professor, well-known speaker, author of several best-selling books. and was called as the second counselor in the Young Men general presidency of the Church in April 2020. He and his wife were both very kind and considerate during our time together. They asked questions and seemed genuinely
interested in the experiences I shared. In fact, Brad asked for my address, which
I wrote on a napkin. A few days later, an autographed copy of his newest book, Changed
by Grace, arrived in the mail. I’m sure there have been many other
conversations with similar napkins. However, that made a lasting impact on me. In that book, he
comments on 2 Nephi 2:8, which teaches that we are saved "through the
merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah." I love how he explains these terms in such an understandable way and especially how they build upon each other. "Christ's merits mean He was the
only one authorized and able to perform the Atonement. His anointing in the
premortal world, unique birth, and perfect life made Him the only one who could
atone for us. The fact that He chose to do so means He loves us. Christ's mercies mean that He was
willing to save us from physical and spiritual deaths that came in consequence
of the Fall. Even though we are completely undeserving, He can resurrect us,
forgive us as we repent, and enter into a covenant relationship with us. The
fact that He chooses to do so means He loves us just the way we are. Christ's grace means that He stands
ready to transform and exalt us. He offers His divine help throughout that perfecting
process. The fact that He chooses to do so means He loves us enough not to
leave us just the way we are."
Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler
are also well-known speakers and best-selling authors. They co-host “Don’t Miss This,” which has helped me study the Come Follow Me curriculum in a way that doesn't feel so lonely, since I'm the only one in our home who actively participates in gospel study. They share
insights about the scriptures in weekly YouTube videos that I enjoy watching. They
are very talented at combining humor with spirituality and they don’t seem to
take themselves too seriously. I think that is a really valuable combination.
They have emphasized that regardless of our calling or station in life, we are
all called to love others.
I’ve noticed that people sometimes
form into cliques among a larger group. Often, there is a tendency to be less
friendly to people outside the clique. Social sciences refer to this as “in-group”
and “out-group.” I am always impressed with people who are confident enough to
be friends with people in all the groups. Their sphere of influence is much
greater because they are inclusive. Virginia U. Jensen explained, “Sisters in all life circumstances have
opportunities to build and nurture others within their sphere of influence” (“Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment,”
Ensign, November 1999). We each have a unique sphere of influence. Hilary,
Emily, David, Brad, and Kenneth have a large sphere of influence and I’m grateful for
the amazing amount of good they do in the world. However, each of us can spend
our time lifting others and improving life for people around us in small and
simple ways. Showing kindness, mercy, empathy, and love creates a positive ripple
effect for good.
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