Shadow of Influence

Shadow noun 
shad·ow | \ ˈsha-(ˌ)dō  \

Definition of shadow
a reflected image;
the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays from a source of light

I read a quote on a calendar in 1991 that I have never forgotten. At the time I read it, it really made me stop and think. But as the years passed the path that God has taken our family down has given richer meaning to this quote I love so much!

”This I learned from the shadow of a tree: our influence may fall where we can never be.”

The calendar page said:“This I learned from the shadow of a tree: our influence may fall where we can never be.” The quote was attributed to “unknown”. It was years later that an internet search led me to a poem by Anne E. Hamilton that apparently someone had re-worded and shortened before including it on that calendar.

The poem actually reads:
This I learned from the shadow of a tree,
That to and fro did sway against the wall,
Our shadow selves, our influence may fall
Where we ourselves can never be
~Anne E. Hamilton 

The quote is especially meaningful to me because both of our daughters flew far when they flew from our nest! Our oldest daughter and her husband have been missionaries in Cambodia for 20 years. Our other daughter attended college in Iowa where she met her future spouse, who was from… Alaska. Several months after they got married they moved to Alaska where they have lived since 1997.

Just as a tree can never stand in it’s own shadow, I will never personally have contact with everyone my children and grandchildren meet in Alaska and Cambodia. However, Lord willing, possibly something I have taught or shared with them may have a positive influence on those people they come in contact with! Oh, to think my influence might reach where I can never be! So.very.humbling.

Life is so short! Dear God, help me to live wisely – being a good influence. Lord, keep me mindful of what I say and how I act. I pray, Father, that there may be souls who have come to You that have been reached by someone I may have influenced. Lord, may the shadow of my influence always be a reflected image of the rays of Your love… the true source of light and life!

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This is an entry from a few years ago in my handwritten paper journal. I am adding a few additional thoughts here in light of the shelter in place order by the governor of my state amid the corona virus pandemic we find ourselves in.

It is Monday, the first Monday since a shelter in place order began at 5 p.m. on Saturday. In an effort to reduce and eliminate the highly contagious spread of COVID 19, we currently are only allowed to be in public to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, etc. No community gatherings are allowed. So no school, church, sporting or entertainment events are taking place. All non-essential businesses are temporarily closed. Only those employed in an essential service business are able to work.

So in these days of sheltering in place and ‘social distancing’ (no close contact with others… 6 foot separation from others) our “shadow selves, our influence, may fall where we ourselves can [most likely] never be”! Now I have to wonder, what can I do within the confines of our home that will have a positive influence on others? Like the tree, I am rooted, stationary in one place, basically immobile for the most part. Which makes the social distancing very depressing… and it has only just begun!

I am reminded, like the stationary, rooted tree, which casts a cool, refreshing shadow when illuminated by the sun, that when I allow myself to be illuminated by the Son, the far flung shadow that is cast may be the cool refreshment someone else needs. Just what kind of things can I do while rooted at home that could be found in my shadow and reach where I may never be?

For me personally, it has been a step of faith putting myself, my thoughts, my journal entries of praise and worship online for others to read. Lord willing, they will be a source of encouragement to others. But there are plenty of other ways we can be an influence where we normally cannot be!

A huge way to have a positive influence (aka be a blessing) on others is to pray for them! Pray specifically for them and any needs you are aware of. Don’t tell others you will pray for them and not do it! In social media posts where you comment, “praying!”, stop right then and pray for the need! Then let others know you have prayed for them. Or when conversing with others be sure to ask if there is anything you can pray about for them.

Stay in touch with others. Use email, texting, social media, a phone call, or snail mail to reach out to family and friends. Let them know you care for them and encourage them to do the same in their circle of friends.

Demonstrate kindness to others. Currently the only restaurants that are still open are ones with a drive through or those offering curbside pick up. When going through a drive through pay for the next person’s order and ask them to pay it forward. When using curbside pick up at a dining room that no longer offers dine in… give the tip you would have left the waitress to the person who brings your order out.

When cooking and baking make extra, and drop it off to someone, a neighbor or family member. Buy gift cards to places that are still serving coffee and food and give or mail it to someone. Make up a little care package of prepackaged goodies, non perishable items, and/or staple goods and leave it on someone’s doorstep.

Video chat with others to help add an extra element of contact with those who may be discouraged by the social distancing. Why not set up an online book club or Bible study group and schedule a specific time to hold a video conference chat for teaching and discussion?

If you have a Facebook account, set up a prayer request page and invite your friends to join the page. Each one can add their personal prayer requests that everyone will be praying for. Oh, don’t forget to post praises and answers to prayer there also!

While I am new to the world of blogging, those who are seasoned bloggers are already doing a great job of influencing others. How about you? If you have never kept a journal, now is a great time to start! And if you already journal, consider sharing some of your thoughts and entries in a blog.

I know from personal experience that when I have been on the receiving end of similar kindnesses, it makes me want to pay it forward! Like the shadow of the tree, the shadow of kindness that fell on me now reaches some where the original giver may never be!

In this age of social distancing, may we draw closer together in the way that matters most. Giving encouragement, kindness, compassion, and inspiration in any way possible. Sharing the love of God in all we do!

I John 1:9a Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God