The Ripple Effect

Have you ever skipped rocks on pond or thrown a baited hook into the water?  Did you notice what happened?  Concentric circles formed and spread out.  Little things make little circles and bigger things make bigger circles.  Often, it’s called the ripple effect.

The “ripple effect” happens in other ways as well.  You smile at someone as you walk by, maybe even speak a word of greeting. Then that person smiles back, the ripple effect. You drop a little card with words of encouragement and eventually it comes back to you, the ripple effect. 

Our words and actions can cause a ripple effect but it may not always be a positive one. My grandma had a little tiny newspaper clipping taped to the front of her refrigerator.  It said, “Be careful of the words you speak.  Make them soft and sweet.  You never know from day to day, the ones you’ll have to eat.”  Those words have stuck with me for decades and carry so much truth.  Yet, I failed to head their warning on too many occasions.  Sweet words can have a positive effect on others as do kind actions and gestures.  But, we must also be reminded that harsh words can cause hurt feelings and negativity as can mean and hurtful actions. 

1 Peter 4:8-11 says, “8. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

May all of our “Ripples” be made from gracious actions and kind words.