The Butterfly Effect

The "butterfly effect" suggests that the whir of air released by a butterfly's wings can magnify over time to release a power that can affect weather patterns thousands of miles away.  An unnoticed, seemingly insignificant action can intensify to a storm of consequence.

Amazing, isn't it?  One tiny act of kindness can spread and make a difference throughout the world!

The movie - Pay It Forward - is a good example of the impact one person can have on others.  It all started out with an idea Trevor came up with for a seventh-grade assignment.  He would pass on an act of kindness to three people, and each of them in turn would pass on a good deed to three more.  A tiny act stirred up a whirlwind of kindness.

A friend of mine bought two extra copies of Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back to share with others.  I received one copy and shared it with some neighbors whose lives were touched by it.  One neighbor bought a copy and passed it around, and some of those people are buying their own copy to share.  God works in mysterious ways.  A flap of the wings and the power releases.

Do you ever feel like you don't make an impact on the world around you?  Even if you don't hear any positive feedback, you are making a difference. Years ago in a Bible Study using THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE, a woman who washed hospital bedding wondered how what she does could ever have a purpose or be glorifying to God.  She woke me up to how much I take little things for granted.  Those same crisp, white sheets I have laid on in a hospital bed were washed by a woman who thought she wasn't making a difference in the world.  In reality, her quiet flap of wings has made a greater difference than she will ever realize.

What we do not only affects those around us today, but it may ripple on and shape the lives of those who are not yet born.  Awesome, yet scary.  How do we live our lives?  Do we make positive differences?

Let's be the butterflies of love and kindness.  If one pair of wings can intensify into a storm, imagine what we can do together.

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“What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” - Mother Teresa

How has an act of kindness affected you?

What are little ways you can make a positive difference?