Now that we’re into the new year, many have made goals or resolutions, or chosen a word for the year.

While I have those things swirling around in my brain, another thought is taking hold. It’s “Ripple Effects.” I’ve been thinking a lot about ripple effects in life.

Sadly, I’ve just attended a memorial service. There’s never a good time to lose someone, but during the holidays, it stings a bit more.

During the service, this gentleman’s numerous great-grandchildren read his favorite Scripture passages. The great-grandchildren ranged in age from 5 to about 17. Seeing them standing together in front of the church, you realized the legacy this man left. His pride in being a grandfather and great-grandfather had a joyful ripple effect on all who attended this celebration of life.

My mother’s life had a similar effect. She’s been gone two years now. While my father misses her with a depth I can only imagine, he has carried on. Christmas was here at my house. From my father’s point-of-view, he had three out of his four children here, along with all of his grandchildren and all of his great-grandchildren together for Christmas. Not too bad at all. Sometime during all of that chaos, I thought of how my mother would’ve loved this gathering. And I think she would’ve been proud of me for carrying on the Christmas-hosting duties. Mom’s joy of having her family together has carried on to me – with a lasting ripple effect that I hope extends to my daughter and to my nieces and nephew.

Finding that joy in living, and in your family, is the ripple effect of these two people. Their legacies carry on, even though they’re no longer here with us.  

I hope to continue exploring ripple effects throughout the coming months, both good and bad.

Meanwhile, for today, it’s worth thinking about your own joy in living and how it affects others. This post has been more about legacy, but finding day-to-day joy can have a positive ripple effect on those around you right now.

Do you agree?

Let’s encourage one another.