Several weeks ago in this blog, Crysti Landis shared a moving devotional, Unseen Ripples. In it, she recounted how a brief encounter with a couple she barely had contact with changed the course of her entire life. She concluded her story with these words:

“… it makes me wonder: Did Marshall’s foster parents have any idea that their act of loving service would ultimately lead to two more children being rescued from the foster system? I imagine not. And I also wonder, what choices am I making today that will ripple down and impact people I’ve never met? And will my choices influence them for good?”

Crysti’s reflection was a timely reminder that even our smallest actions can have lasting effects on others. And last week,  God showed me an “unseen ripple” that I had in someone else’s life.

In the summer of 2019, right before we came to Bethany, my family and I went on a mission trip to England with missionary Eric & Lisa Simpson. During that trip, I briefly met a man named Steve Bryant. We only shared a few interactions, but last month, I received news from Eric that stunned me. He told me that, now 5 years later, Steve was just baptized and mentioned me in his testimony. Here’s an excerpt of what Steve shared:

“I grew up in a pub. My Dad & Mum managed a pub for as long as I can remember. I was introduced to alcohol early in my life and it just became part of me… The alcohol overtook my life, and it was not unusual for me to have a bottle of whiskey or vodka every night.

I went to a local Anglican church and attended a course called Alpha where I learned about Jesus. But alcohol still had a grip on me. I moved to Rossington and started attending Rossington Community Baptist Church. I liked it because Eric made the Bible easy to understand. I went into a day program to get clean, and Eric supported me through that difficult time.

A few years ago, Steve Benedict came to England from America to help with a holiday club. During that week, Steve came to my home and shared a meal with Julie and me. We met a couple more times, and I felt like he really wanted to help me. We communicated a bit over the years, and I knew he cared for me. It’s really amazing how God could use a bloke from America to help me.

Over the last few years, I got more involved in church and Bible study. I told Eric I wanted to be baptised. Today, I thank God for saving my soul and freeing me from alcohol. I have been dry now for five years. I currently coordinate men’s activities at church and faithfully attend services and Bible study. I thank God for those who have been an influence in my life.”

I was amazed by his testimony because here’s the thing: I probably spent less than five hours total with Steve. We had coffee once, shared a lovely evening at his house, where I listened to his story and we prayed together. I taught at the church on Sunday and went out for fish and chips.  We stayed in touch on Facebook, exchanging just a handful of one-line messages over the years. Frankly, it didn’t feel that significant or effective on my part.

But God uses even small moments. When we first met, Steve had only been sober a few weeks. But now, by God’s grace, he’s not only sober but baptized, leading men’s ministry, and through his openness, others are beginning to share their own journeys of faith and recovery. I never expected to have a small part in such a big miracle!

Steve’s story demonstrates that God multiplies our smallest actions to create large ripples in the lives of others. I spent only a few hours with him, had a couple of brief conversations, and maintained scant contact over the years. Yet, God used these moments in ways I could never have imagined.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” It’s tempting to think that small acts of service or brief encounters don’t matter. But God calls us to be faithful in them, because He can turn even the simplest gesture into something transformative. Like a pebble dropped into water, these actions send ripples outward, touching lives and situations we may never be aware of.

So, keep planting seeds—whether through a word of encouragement, a prayer, or simply being present for someone in need. God is always at work behind the scenes. And in His perfect time, even the smallest acts of faithfulness can yield a harvest that reflects His goodness, glory and grace.