What’s Your Ripple?

My husband could never resist skipping rocks at a lake. He would pitch a rock and watch it skip across the lake until it disappeared, leaving a ripple. Even when he could no longer see it, the water was impacted by the rock, large or small. Our lives are like that rock tossed across the water; they have the power to impact each person we encounter even when we no longer see them. Our lives have a ripple effect. They leave a legacy long after we leave this world.

A few weeks ago, we lost an icon, Dolly Parton. She was a little woman with a huge heart and powerful voice. She was one of my favorite performers. She was larger than life, obviously talented, known for her kindness and generosity. Her foundation provided over 300 million books to children and financial scholarships for 1000’s of high school graduates. She left a huge legacy. Most of us will never be famous or accumulate millions of dollars, but each of us will leave a legacy: the ripple effect of our life.

Legacy: Our Lasting Impact

A simple definition of a personal legacy is the long-lasting impact your life has long after you leave this physical world. My mother gave me a legacy of service to others, my father a legacy of hard work and integrity, and my Grandma Lizzie gave me the legacy of her faith. None of them were famous in a worldly sense. They were not financially wealthy, but God wove His will in my life through each of them. Their legacy lives on in me and hopefully will live through me into my children and grandchildren.

It’s tempting to compare ourselves with others who seem to have more significant lives. But in God’s eyes, every life is just as important as another. There are no small lives with God. Only people who love and serve Him and people who do not. Our responsibility and privilege are to use the life God has given us to bless others and share the love of Jesus. The seed we plant may be the seed that God uses to grow something huge. This was true of Henrietta Mears, a Sunday school teacher. Few Christians today recognize her name, but she influenced Billy Graham early in his ministry. In his autobiography, Just as I Am, he said of her, “Rarely had I witnessed such Christian love and compassion as she had for those students. She had faith in the integrity of the Scriptures, and an understanding of Bible truth as well as modern scholarship. I was desperate for every insight she could give me.” 

Seeds of Faithfulness

When Ms. Mears took over the college Sunday School class at Hollywood Presbyterian Church, it grew from hundreds to 6,000 at one point. From that class, nearly 400 went into full-time ministry. Sixty-three years after her death, the seeds of her faithfulness are still felt across the world. She never knew where the seeds of her teaching would end up. She just faithfully planted the word of God in every student who came into her class. Henrietta never married, but her spiritual children and legacy live on far beyond what any of us can see. But God sees and knows where every seed was planted, flourished, and reproduced. Every seed sown for Jesus is just as important as another. Only God knows where your seeds will land.

We may think our life is small, but in someone’s life—a child, grandchild or friend— it is huge. We are leaving a legacy with each act of compassionate listening, kindness, and love. Each of us must ask: will my legacy be for the good of others and the kingdom of God or not? My Grandma Lizzie’s life was small in the eyes of the world, but she was huge in my life. Though she didn’t live to see it, her prayers set the path for my faith, which I joyfully share today through writing and speaking.

What Has God Given You to Do Today?

Mother Teresa said. “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Our God wants us to live with purpose—on purpose. Whatever God has given you to do today, do it with great joy and love. Your contribution to the world when done in the name of Jesus is never small.

Today, I invite you to join me in reflecting on your personal legacy. No matter our accomplishments or accumulated treasures, none of them will go with us into eternity. Only what we do for the Lord, and in His name, will follow us to heaven. The rest is wood, hay, and stubble. We each must ask ourselves what we want to be remembered for. Will it be for our love, kindness, generosity, and service for God’s kingdom? I pray so.

Blessings,

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Personal Parables Practices

• Have I taken the time to consider the ripple effect of my life?
• Are there areas of my life that might leave a legacy not pleasing to God?
• Am I open to God correcting me and redirecting my path?

Pray with Me

Today Lord, open my eyes to any areas that are not pleasing to you. Change the direction of my path if needed. I want to honor and serve you in all I do. I want my legacy to be a person who loved and served the Lord. Amen.

Scripture for Meditation

Matthew 5:16 NIV – In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 4:10 NIV – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Music for Reflection