“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)

It was 1992, and our family had just acquired a home and acreage at a government auction a few days earlier. Even before we unpacked our boxes, our three little boys begged to explore the property.

I wasn’t surprised when my little guys’ first priority while exploring our new domain was to pick up rocks and throw them in the lake. Observing the boys’ delight from the resulting ripples as they threw one rock after another into the water, I took advantage of a perfect teachable moment.

“Just think,” I explained, “if ripples spread out across our lake when you throw your rocks into the water, how do the words you say and the things you do affect the people around you? And then, how do those people affect the people around them?”

As the boys continued to toss whatever they could find into the water, we talked about simple examples they could understand. “If you say something unkind to your brother, he will feel badly and might be unkind, too. The unkindness spreads. We want to spread good things that honor God rather than bad things that don’t.”

As kids, all my children loved the story of Daniel and the lions’ den (as seen in Daniel 6). Although Daniel lived in a godless culture, he impacted nations, kings, wise men and his friends by living a life that pleased the Lord. His ripples of influence expanded incrementally, leading to an impact he never could have predicted — one that extends to my family and yours almost 3,000 years later.

When we reflect God’s character through the gifts and opportunities He gives us, we’re like rocks tossed into a pond, producing ripple effects that inspire those in our sphere and beyond to think and act differently.

You don’t have to be famous, rich or successful. You don’t need an impressive degree or lots of followers on social media. A specific age, nationality or personality is not a requirement, and you’re not limited by your job, location or marital status. You, my friend, have the power to positively influence others.

I believe within the heart of every woman is the desire to be influential. Whether we’re submerged in endless diaper changes, climbing the corporate ladder in stilettos, or serving the “least of these” here or abroad, we can engage our God-given opportunities for positive influence. I believe we women have the unparalleled opportunity to influence this generation and those to come.

God uses ordinary people like you and me to star in extraordinary “God stories” — real-life narratives of purpose and influence. Although we’re all imperfect and inconsistent, we can still be influential because of God’s grace and power in and through us. As Jesus said: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5b).

Lord, I may be an ordinary woman, but with Your help, I can accomplish extraordinary things. Help me to clearly see the places where I can have the greatest influence. Give me the courage, wisdom and grace to speak into others’ lives and reflect Your goodness — so through You, I might make an eternal impact. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”(ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES

Pam Tebow believes every one of us can be influential — and that deep within a woman’s heart is the desire to use her influence for good. In Ripple Effects: Discover the Miraculous Motivating Power of a Woman’s Influence, Pam explores how we can influence this generation and the next, no matter where we’re planted in life. Get your copy here — and wherever books are sold.

CONNECT

Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy-winning football player, credits his mom with being the key to his success. For most of her life, she served quietly and faithfully as a wife and mom. But her consistent, everyday choices to follow the Lord and serve wherever He placed her created unexpected ripples of influence throughout her family, community and world. Discover more of Pam’s story at PamTebow.com.

Enter to WIN a copy of Ripple Effects by Pam Tebow. In celebration of this book, Pam’s publisher is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify each one in the comments section by Monday, May 13, 2019.}

REFLECT AND RESPOND

The lessons we teach our children often last well into adulthood. What are the key biblical truths you’d like the next generation to live by? How can you teach and model these truths in a way that will make them memorable for years to come?

© 2019 by Pam Tebow. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Tyndale House Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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