It’s crazy out there guys. One look beyond your front door will tell you that. You would have to bury your head completely in the sand to not be assaulted by the horrible, ugly happenings worldwide, or even in your own small town. Anything from ISIS and beheadings to babies left in hot cars. It’s enough to make you sick, and to slowly seep the hope from your spirit.
When I see so much bad, and such travesty that I’m certain Jesus is coming back within the hour, I want to do something. I fall on my knees and I pray, and I cry, oh Lord help us! I wonder, what can I do?! And it’s really overwhelming.
Honestly, sometimes I just close my eyes to it all or I’d be a wreck. Sometimes I’m guilty of focusing simply on my little world, my little family, because I can somewhat control those things within my sphere of existence.
Within my home I can find reassurance that I’m doing something. What I mean is when I teach my children to do the right thing, to love The Lord, and love others like He does then I feel like maybe I am making a difference in this world.
But still, it didn’t seem like enough. I wanted to be a catalyst for change, but I knew God wasn’t calling me overseas or to a foreign mission field. Long ago He told me that my mission field was here, but I wondered how I could make a difference as a busy mom and harried nurse.
One person at a time.
It was so simple it was brilliant. If I could positively impact just one person I could make a difference. You might say, “yeah right, it’s just one person,” but I would say it’s so much more.
Have you ever watched an acorn fall from a tree into the water? The single slash of still water creates a ripple effect that spreads outward considerably farther than the small mark made on the surface initially.
And so it is with my daily actions. Actions, and more importantly words, hold a powerful punch that can extend further than I ever anticipated. One kind word of encouragement can completely change a person’s day. And you know I’m right.
Think about when you receive a compliment. Makes you feel good, huh? What about when someone criticizes you cruelly? Ouch. It hurts.
I don’t know if everyone is like me, but when someone cuts me with thoughtless, harsh words I bleed. And I bleed for a long time. In my time of pain I am practically useless until I “get over it” or “move on,” but in that time I am of no benefit to anyone, and I wonder if I possibly bring others down. Then there’s always the question of whether I heal or scars are left behind. Sadly the underlying ripples caused by heartless actions run deep.
Not that long ago I was hesitant to encourage. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, it just felt awkward or embarrassing one. I’m not sure, but wonder if it wasn’t the devil making me fearful to lift up God’s children.
One day I realized I needed to do it regardless. I needed to encourage, to offer a kind word, to bless someone, and in essence change the world one person at a time.
Maybe it sounds like a stretch to you, that a compliment could make a difference in the grand scheme, or that kindness could somehow kill hatred, but I’m willing to take a chance. After all, what do I have to lose by making someone smile?
I would encourage you to join me. It may seem silly, but what if we can change the world? What if God’s people could encourage one another to step out in faith, giving love to the unloved, and offering hope to the hopeless?
But most importantly, please, please, think about your words before you speak. Your hurtful, callous, and catty words can harm more than you know.
Perhaps I’m overly optimistic. Perhaps I’m even unrealistic. But I have to do something, and so do you.
Feel free to share this post with others so a ripple might build. You never know. We might just change the world.