I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12 (ESV)
“Ahh!” giggled my young sons as splashed in the water. Many years ago, we were spending Memorial Day watching our boys, Dan and Mitch, dig in the sandy beach of Lake Petenwell in Wisconsin. They had been asking us all weekend to let them play in the water next to the beach area. On Monday, the weather was perfect so we decided to grant them their wish before we packed up and headed back home to Illinois. As my husband and I were relaxing on beach towels, I couldn’t help but notice the variety of watercraft and pleasure craft in the water just beyond the sand-covered boys. Speedboats skimmed across the top of the water. Fishing boats hunted for desirable spots. Pontoon boats gracefully glided through the water. Whether they moved fast or slow, all of the boats created waves in the water that eventually reached our boys who were playing near the edge of the water. Those ripples in the water amused the boys. Thankfully, the ripples in the water were gentle and not dangerous. High-pitched giggles could be heard as they jumped and stomped on the moving water.
Like a little boat in a very big lake, I too can cause ripples in the lives of others. It may take time before my waves of influence reach people, but my words and actions do affect the lives around me. As I watched my boys fully enjoying the waves in the water, I felt a new commitment to bring happiness to others. I would use divine appointments with others to honor God by doing more acts of kindness. Acts such as smiling and saying hello to each person I passed by came to mind. Walking away from the beach that afternoon, I not only felt refreshed from my rest, but I felt motivated to be a vessel of blessings producing joyful splashes in the lives of others.
Father God, help me to be a vessel of joy to your people. Amen.