Do What You Can

20 Nov

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ~ St. Teresa of Calcutta

Many people feel that they should not attempt to do something unless they could be stellar at it.  They do not want to risk being second best, or third, or last.  They want to be THE best.  That kind of attitude, though, will stymie anyone.

Mother Teresa certainly had it right when she encouraged her people to do, to be.  She never thought that she could change the world — when you think about it, who really can? — but she knew that she could make a difference.

She encouraged her people to make a difference.  Maybe no one would ever take note of what they did.  In Mother Teresa’s eyes, that was even better because the only one who should know is God.  However, even if no one took note, the person who was being helped would certainly know that they were receiving love and care and concern.  Mother’s volunteers and Mother’s sisters would make definite changes in the lives of the people they touched.

By the end of Mother Teresa’s life, how many people knew about her?  Hundreds?  Thousands?  Tens of thousands?  Millions?

I would venture to say billions.  Yet, she never did anything that she did for recognition.  She simply did what she could do and asked God to fill in what was lacking, what was needed.

We should not think that we have to change the world all by ourselves.  Yet, in doing good for another, we can change a small part of the world and make that a better place for someone.  In doing so, we effect a ripple.  That ripple can go on and on, touching others’ lives and changing others’ lives.

We do not have to know who or how many people we will end up helping or how many lives we will change.  All we have to do is begin with one small act and allow God to fill in what is lacking, what is needed.

FAITH ACTION Do the best that you can do in whatever you attempt today.