The one with the THUD

All was quiet in the Royal Household - I had just poured milk into my tea in the kitchen and the boys were watching television in the lounge.  It was a peaceful afternoon.  Then - THUD!!  In a panic I put my tea down on the kitchen worktop and ran (well - walked briskly!) into the lounge to check the boys were ok.  Although they had come away from their usual spot on the sofa and were now standing looking a little confused in the middle of the lounge - they both seemed fine.  In fact, nothing seemed to be amiss at all.

Confused, I began to interrogate the boys:

'What was that bang?'
'What did you just do?'
'What have you touched?'

Their response?

''Dunno?'
'Nothing!'
'Nothing!'

I believed them, and yet, I knew the THUD must have been caused by something!!

After a short conversation with the boys, they said that the THUD had come from the dining room, and that something may have hit the window.  A reasonable suggestion I thought, but I couldn't see any evidence on the ground that would suggest something had been thrown at the window.

Ah well, I returned to my cup of tea that I had left in the kitchen and my mind drifted to other things and the THUD incident was soon forgotten.

That is, until the following afternoon, when something caught my eye as I walked past the window in the dining room.  The sun shone through the glass, and as it did, it revealed a blurry mark on the window that hadn't been there before.  I turned to look at it, and suddenly the cause of yesterday's THUD became clear ...

The THUD had been the result of a bird flying into the window!  It all fell into place; the mystery solved.  The bird had flown into the window, and although it had flown away again, it had left his mark.

I wonder what 'mark' we leave?  We may think that our involvement and presence has no lasting impact.  However, just as the scent of perfume may linger in the room when its wearer leaves, so our example, our behaviour, our character, our words, our actions, may all have an influence on people and situations when we are gone.

Do we leave a 'good' mark?  Do we live our lives in such a way that leaves people with a positive 'aroma' of who we are and what we believe in?  Or do we leave an unpleasant stench, which upon our departure forces people to open the window to invite the fresh air in?

As Christians, we are to demonstrate the love of Christ in all we do and say?  Do our words and actions convey the fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control?  (Galatians 5:22-23 in TNIV)

Are we living God's way? 

'But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22-23 - The Message)

Even though the bird only made contact with my window for a very short time, it left its mark.

Don't underestimate the impact you have on people and circumstances.  You can make a difference - make every effort to make your 'mark' a good one.