By Betsy Ore Glass
Godliness with contentment is great gain. – 1 Timothy 6:6
The dictionary says this about the ripple effect: it is the continuing and spreading results of an event or action.
My son could skip rocks or shells across the water and make it bounce three times before it stopped with ripples of water forming. The little rock would create the largest ripples and we always stood amazed that something so little could have such a large effect.
I was asked this week about the things I have done in my life and what kind of ripple effect they had. My answer was, “I don’t know.” Sometimes it is not up to use to measure the size of our impact or presence. We are just to be obedient to God for what He calls us to do and the rest is Him. If anything we do affects others in a positive godly way, then He gets all the praise and glory. You know, an open door, a smile, a simple gesture is how it begins. I can look back on the times people that I do not know were generous and kind. It caused me to want to do the same. And then kindness and generosity becomes a way of life.
Whatever our calling or purpose is in this life, we should hope our work, our writing, our art, our time, our gifts, our generosity leaves an impact that ripples through the generations. That is what is called leaving a legacy of godliness behind.
Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com. To learn more about her new book, Reflections by the Sea, visit betsyoreglass.com.