“You are only a dot on a dot.”
I have heard this statement a myriad of times, awestruck by illustrations portraying the immense magnificence of the universe, and comparisons of our solar system to the size of our earth—compared to teeny-tiny me. I am indeed “but a dot on a dot”. The intention of this illustration, of course, is to point out the vastness of our universe, and that we are not the center of it—our great God I, and He gives life its grander purpose. I could not agree more.
“You are only a dot on a dot.”
True, I am only a dot. The universe, this world, our society, does not revolve around my dot, and yet, ironically, mysteriously, my dot, my life—your life—matters. Consider a child’s simple dot-to-dot puzzle: missing a number does not prevent you from seeing the big picture. You can still tell what it is, buuuuut…even a child knows, something is just not quite right.
Let me give you a few examples of “dots” that connected in my life:
Over 20 years ago, a mentor/father figure suggested I attend seminary. He did not recommend a particular school, one day he just mentioned in passing that I should consider investigating it. One conversation. One suggestion. One dot.
Connecting…
I had visited a city (with an ex-boyfriend no less), that I fell in love with and determined I would love to relocate to. On a return visit years later, I remembered my mentor’s suggestion and decided to investigate local seminaries. One visit. One relationship. One more dot.
Connecting…
I found a seminary, attended, met and befriended many wonderful people—dots—who greatly impacted my life. Years later, one of these “dots” said she knew an organization that would be a perfect fit for me. I declined her advice initially, but months later, recalled the conversation and reconsidered. One friend. One recommendation. Yet another dot.
Connecting…
I applied to and worked with my friend’s recommended organization, and within 6 months of arriving, met my husband. Ten years, 3 children, and 3 states later, we’ve connected many more dots.
Would any of these events have occurred without the connection of each dot mentioned? I will never know. And that is the key.
You will never know how your dot impacts someone else.
Your actions matter.
Your words matter.
How you raise your children, treat your family, friends, random strangers on the street, in a store, on a bus…it all matters.
Entire people groups have been annihilated because one dot was able to convince other dots that certain dots needed to be erased. That matters.
Entire people groups have been emancipated and elevated because a few dots were able to convince a few other dots that all dots were created equal. That matters.
Your life—your dot—has been significantly impacted, worldview formed, confidence built, and insecurities firmly rooted because another dot spoke harsh or kind words, encouraged or discouraged you, hindered or aided you. While they may not have altered the universe, they altered you. And you alter others. That matters.
So, as you go through your day, week, month, life, remember your significance to the dots around you. Yes, you may be just “a dot on a dot,” but the bigger picture is not quite right without you.
. These are short prayers that I expect to serve as springboards into more detailed prayers and conversations pertinent to where we are during this time in our marriage.
