Good or evil, blessing or cursing, our influence, like a pebble
dropped in the water, has an ever-widening, rippling effect upon the
lives of other people.
If we throw a pebble into the lake, a wave is formed,
and another and another; and as they increase, the circle widens,
until it reaches the very shore.
Whether we like it or not or whether we are aware
and conscious of it or not, our influence affects the lives of
people with whom we come in contact.
What an awesome responsibility we have to exert a positive and
strong influence. God forbids that our influence be a curse instead
of a blessing to those around us. It is for this reason that we
should take to heart the importance of following Christ's footsteps
and emulating as best we could His character for He is our Example.
He is our Pattern.
Here's a
poem, Drop a Pebble written by James W. Foley. Let's learn from his
wisdom and have positive influence upon the lives of people around
us.
Drop a
pebble in the water, just a splash, and it is gone; but there are half a hundred
ripples circling on and on and on, spreading, spreading from the
center, flowing on out to sea. And there is no way of telling where
the end is going to be.
Drop a pebble in the
water; in a minute you will forget, but there are little waves
a-flowing and there are ripples circling yet, and those little waves
a-flowing to a great big wave have grown. You’ve disturbed a mighty
river just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind word, or
careless: in a minute it is gone; but there are half a hundred ripples
circling on and on and on, they keep spreading, spreading, spreading
from the center as they go, and there is no way to stop them, once
you’ve started the flow.
Drop an unkind word, or
careless: in a minute you forget; but there are little waves
a-flowing, and there are ripples circling yet. And perhaps in some sad
heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred, and disturbed a life
that was happy where you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer or
kindness: just a flash and it is gone; but there are half a hundred
ripples circling on and on and on, bearing hope and joy and comfort
on each splashing, dashing wave, till you wouldn’t believe the
volume of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and
kindness: in a minute you will forget; but there’s gladness still a
swelling, and there’s joy circling yet. And you’ve rolled a wave of
comfort whose sweet music can be heard, over miles and miles of
water just by dropping one kind word.
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|
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words,
for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character,
for it becomes your destiny….Choose wisely and be accountable! |
