1 Pebble, 1 Word

…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)

A Pebble

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the 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 forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s 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’s 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 them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there’s 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 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.

Author James W. Foley

Please never underestimate the power of your words.  You can choose to build people up with your words or tear them down.  One word can easily cause someone to crumble.  This is why the Scripture says, “Be quick to listen and slow to speak…”  I’ve heard it said that God has given us two ears and only one mouth for a reason.  Exercise your ears twice as much as you exercise your mouth.  It’s probably a great idea to exercise your mouth even less, if you don’t know how to say things in a positive way.  Make sure the ripples you leave in someone’s life are always good.  What will your legacy be?  What kind of words will you say?

Dear Father God, I know my tongue is very powerful and I pray You will harness it.  I pray that You will help me be quick to listen and slow to speak.  May the ripples I leave in people’s lives be good ones.

Leaving Good Ripples,