Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Rippling water is a lovely sight to behold. Gently the rings in the water get larger with each new ripple. A relatively calm body of water can lay as still as a piece of glass, and then somehow magically, a small stone can create such a disturbance that lasts for some time.
This makes me think of our actions. We may think that our words or our actions will have little or no effect on others. That is a falsehood, lie, naive thought. Each and everything we do will have a ripple effect, even if we don’t see the ripple doesn’t mean anything.
There are times in our lives when we are completely involved with a project and someone tries to get our attention. We push them away with our words or non-words in order to continue with what has us so absorbed. We think nothing of it. We go about our business with no thought for that other person. However, that person is hurt. Then they are short with someone else, and the ripple goes on. This kind of response happens between people, families, groups of people, countries – well you get the idea. It only takes a small stone to cause great disturbances.
Prayer:
Father God, I know that there are times when I let stuff get in the way of listening to others or times when I find things not as important as they do. I push them away or use my sharp tongue to stop them in their tracks. This cause them pain – so they pass that pain along. Help me to be more considerate and realize how each and everything I do affects others.
Thoughtfulness Action:
Today, please consider your words and actions. Will you chose to inspire or cause pain? You hold the power in your hands to make the ripples pleasant and lovely.
LaDonna Fridenmaker~Writer 