BLOG

In the month following an extreme tragedy locally in which a young mom lost her husband, 5-year-old son, and 13-year-old daughter to a drunk driver’s careless actions, my prayers brought up the comment plurally made to God by His very own Son, “LORD, please forgive him for he knows not what he has done.”  The truth of the matter is, he doesn’t.  He was inebriated and not himself.  The thought comes to mind that he really has no idea what he has done… that he has wrecked an entire family.  Literally.  The consequence of his actions that day, he could not have understood.  Sober, yes.  Drunk, no.  Yet, I beg to argue with even that… that even sober, the answer would be no.   

The truth is, we all, in some way, have a hand in how someone’s life is affected.  Every choice, every thought, every word, every action, even our very attitude… touches the lives around us in a profound way, whether seen or unseen.  And we have no idea.  No idea the how, the what, the who, the anything…  until it is done, and then maybe not even then.  God help us!

I liken it to a ripple effect.  Ever skipped a smooth stone into the waters before you and seen the rippling wake of that stone as it first bounces and then sinks into the blue abyss?  This is us.  We are that smooth stone.  Our lives?  They make up a torrent of ripples that wake into the lives of others in whom we encounter daily. 

The answer?  Mindfulness and a heart that seeks to honor the LORD.  If in everything we say and do our desire is to bring good to others and glory to Him, and we live in such a way that we are mindful of others around us, then we have a better chance of leaving a wake of goodness, love, mercy, and kindness wherever we go!

That kind of “wake” calls for a life that is aligned with the Word of God, a life full of prayer, a life in relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.  A perfect life, no.  A life worth living, yes.  Don’t wait on that kind of life, our days are going to run out one day.  And our perfect God desires to spend not only eternity with us but also an earthly life full of the power of His Holy Spirit!  Let’s shine His Light today and leave Him as the wake we quake!

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

Luke 23:34