1 Small Thing

by Amy Wedel

It was a welcome change of scenery from our life in the city. We were hiking, alone in a forest of pine trees, dead leaves, busy squirrels, and small branches surrounding the path. The thick, vast bright colors of fall were everywhere we turned. All we could hear were birds, twigs breaking under our feet, and the sound of kids’ excited voices as they found new discoveries in nature.

I stood there overlooking a small lake. The water was completely still and I could see the perfect reflection of the other side in the water. Then, just like a snap of the finger, my picture-perfect reflection of the water was ruined.

My 7-year-old boy threw a small rock into the water as far as he could. I was upset that he disrupted my serene view of the lake. But then I watched as the ripples in the water kept going and going and going –  all because of one small rock.

Most New Year’s resolutions have come and gone by now. If you’ve kept up with yours, then you are in the top 3 – 5% of the nation!

But there’s still time left in the year to make one small change. Just one small thing. And I’m not talking about the usual: working out or eating better.

I’m talking about one local radio station’s challenge: Listen to ONLY Christian music for 30 days and see how it benefits your life.

Other easy and simple ideas may include:

• Pray before getting out of bed.
• Pray while you wash your hair (your eyes are shut anyway!).
• Read one verse while getting ready in the morning or as you’re trying to fall asleep.
• Smile at one new person a day.
• Say “thank you” to the tired bus driver or store clerk.
• Count to 10 before reacting to a child’s wrong behavior.

You may not see the quick results that you would by going to the gym. But your impact on someone else’s day will be much greater.

Just one small thing can turn into a good lifelong habit. What would one small, different, positive thing in your life look like?

Start it today.