We Can All Help Somebody

Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.

Andy Stanley

I saw this quote a few days ago and I have been thinking about it ever since. It was the title of a talk by Andy Stanley. It reminds me of another favorite quote that I have talked about once or twice in the past:

 “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” 

Desmond Tutu

We are all feeling overwhelmed by the huge problems that have rocked our world in the last few months. You and I cannot begin to solve them.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t able to do anything worthwhile. (And it doesn’t mean we’re off the hook, either.)

You and I can’t help everyone we wish we could help, but we can do our little bit of good for one somebody. And then another little bit of good for another somebody.

That is how most of humanity makes a difference—one person at a time

We can’t eliminate racism, but we can…

• speak up for one person being unfairly treated
• initiate a discussion with one person of a different ethnicity and listen to their experience
• make an effort to get to know one person from a ethnic background very different from your own
• purchase a book written from the worldview of a person of color and read about their experiences

We can’t stop the pandemic, but we can…

• choose to wear masks and other PPE willingly and cheerfully out of respect for others who are at risk or caring for those who are
• show respect for those who have been on the front lines serving others through this time
• connect with one person who has been alone during the quarantine
• be considerate with those who are acting more cautiously than we are

We can’t fix the financial havoc of the last few months, but we can…

• make a point of shopping at local businesses when they open
• make it easy for local business owners and staff by cheerfully complying with their safety requirements.
• be patient, encouraging, and forgiving with businesses, schools, and other organizations as they feel their way towards a new way of operating. Sustainability and efficiency will take
  time.

We can’t solve world hunger, cure cancer, or fix dysfunctional relationships, but we can…

• faithfully support one person dealing with a serious problem by listening without judging and speaking words of encouragement and hope
• give to a worthy cause that helps those big problems
• faithfully support one person who is actively involved in the solution of such problems
• get to know one person who has been through traumas we have not and listen to their story

What do you wish you could do for everyone? How can you meet that same need for one person this week?

I’d love to hear how you made a difference to someone. Let me know your stories.