We are blessed to have a swimming pool. It’s not huge, but it is a wonderful thing to have when the weather gets hot. It is in a screened enclosure attached to the house which makes it especially enjoyable.
The morning dew collects on the roof of that enclosure and as the sun rises, those drops of dew fall into the pool. And each drop makes an expanding circular ripple in the water. I’m sure you have seen the effect I’m attempting to describe. As kids, we would toss stones into the lake to make those circles. I bet you did something similar.
The other morning, I stood outside for a bit and watched those ripples in the pool. If it’s not windy and the filter isn’t running, the pool water is as smooth as glass, which it was that morning. But every one of those dewdrops, as tiny as they were, moved the water into that beautiful pattern of circles.
Those tiny drops had an impact on the pool’s water. Now, according to the best mathematical calculations I can come up with, there could be around a trillion drops of water in our pool. Isn’t it amazing that one drop can impact a trillion? Of course, that one drop doesn’t impact all trillion drops at once, but consider how those circular ripples work.
(This is quite a layman’s description.) The water’s surface has a certain amount of molecular tension. And the force of the drop of dew falling into the pool disturbs the surface tension and causes an empty space at the point of impact. The surrounding water then rushes in to fill that void. The force of that rushing water causes a wave which then moves the adjacent water outward in concentric circles. And those circular waves keep moving out and getting bigger until their energy is expended. When multiple drops fall in different areas, those circles can even run into each other and cause more ripples. My point being that a few drops can move a lot of water around.
And that started me thinking…
First of all, I find those circular ripples to be beautiful. I like to watch them. They are so peaceful. I don’t think of them as a disturbance in the water, I just enjoy the results.
What this says to me is that we can have a disturbance in our minds but still have peace. I’m not saying that our peace would be a façade. I’m saying that we can maintain a positive outlook in spite of what is bothering us. When we put our trust in God, and allow Him to work in our lives, He can turn our disturbance into a beautiful ripple. He can change our sadness into joy. Our disturbance can become a pleasing result. The ripples in the water can remind us of that.
Next, as we watch these ripples grow bigger and bigger, we can be reminded of the long-lasting effects that a small action can have. Something as small as a dewdrop can send ripples across the whole pool. What about a small action that we might take? A drop of kindness can have long-lasting results. How about an ounce of love, or a speck of tenderness? Any of these could change someone’s life, including our own!
And truly, don’t we all want our lives to be meaningful? Aren’t we happy when we can make someone smile? Aren’t we pleased when we can help someone? And what better help can we give to anyone than God’s help? Speaking His Word to someone gives them the surety of God’s answers to their problems and introduces them to God’s vast resources. Showing them God’s love can heal their hearts. Our actions do affect others, even if our connection is only for a moment. Because sometimes, that moment can change someone’s life forever.
In addition, those ripples gliding across the water can remind us that our actions can have far-reaching effects. Maybe our ounce of love helped someone so much that they want to help someone else, who in turn helps someone, who helps someone, and so on. We should never underestimate what even an ounce of love or a word of Scripture can accomplish.
Along these lines, I want to include the power of prayer. Prayer reaches out far past our own understanding and ability. Our small action of praying invokes God’s power and there is no limit to what God can do. Talk about far-reaching ripples!!
I don’t expect to ever be famous, nor do I want to be! But if I can help and bless someone, I’m happy. If I can show the goodness of God to someone, I have joy. And if my tiny life can send some beautiful ripples that heal someone’s hurt, I am fulfilled.
So, the next time you see those circular ripples in the water, why not think about the beautiful ripples your life can make? Why not walk as a son of God and speak The Truth boldly? Why not give out of the tremendous abundance that God has given you? Why not love others with the love of God? Any and all of these can not only set someone free but can also bless you back exponentially. When we do these things, our actions will send a ripple of light that can spread far and wide over a dark and broken world.
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The true light of God’s Word can begin as a tiny ripple but can grow into a tsunami if we are faithful to holding forth The Word with all the energy of our conviction. Go, stand and speak… (Acts 5:20)
Note to my readers: I hope my humble blog has sent some pleasant ripples your way. I love you.
