Ann Rogers Balfour spoke proudly of her husband’s career. As a surgeon, he performed surgeries until he was 70 years of age. Two years before that, he spoke to his wife of his plan to retire because his hands had started experiencing some tremor. One day, the man said to his wife: “Maybe I couldn’t fix them all, but hopefully, I made life a bit better for them”. He said that in regards to the many patients he had attended to throughout his long career. This statement should be both an inspiration and a goal for all. Whereas no one may be able to fix all problems for all people, it should at least be one’s goal to make life a bit better for everyone whose path crosses ours. Having this as a driving force will help us to leave the world better than we met it.

“When each of us does what we can, that will be enough…The church or ministry that thrives is one where everybody is doing what they could for the benefit of all.”

Interestingly, God is not expecting anyone to do everything. He only demands that we do what we can. This is clearly demonstrated by the story of the woman who came to anoint Jesus with oil. Some felt she could have sold the oil and given the proceeds to the poor. However, Jesus absolved her of blame. He told the people to let the woman be; that “she has done what she could”. When each of us does what we can, that will be enough. A family, an organization, or nation is worse hit when few are doing what they could and the vast majority are not towing the same path. The church or ministry that thrives is one where everybody is doing what they could for the benefit of all