One at a Time

"The words of the mouth are deep waters. ..." (Proverbs 18:4)

Michael at nine was one very proud Cub Scout. A visit to the Marine Recruit Depot was arranged for his pack. There, under the guidance of two drill instructor sergeants, they would be put through the physical fitness routines expected of graduating recruits.

The first training goal was 25 pull-ups. Boy after boy tried, and some made it as far as 20. Then it was Mike’s turn. He was last because he was the smallest. No one expected him to do better than the larger boys.

Up he went, over and over. When he reached 26, the sergeants started counting them out, loud and clear. At 30 the boys started cheering. At 59 he dropped to the ground. The applause from the troop and the Marines who had stopped to watch was heady stuff for a little nine-year-old!

After it was all over and he came back to me, I hugged him and asked him how he had ever managed to do it.

"It was easy, Mom, I just did one at a time."

Talk about wise words! When I get bogged down in too many projects and have trouble seeing how everything will get accomplished, I try to remember Michael’s wisdom: just do one thing at a time. Then it becomes doable — maybe not easy, but doable!

Beyond the Door
1. Recall a time in your life when you, like Michael, did something that no one else thought you could do. How did it make you feel? Share the experience with a friend.

2. Women especially are often prone to getting involved in too many projects, too many things to be done. To have a healthy balance of mind and body and spirit, some items on our "to-do list" may have to go by the wayside. How did you answer the first question in Devotion 2: How do you decide what gets priority in your life? Are you ready for some new priorities, including having some more time for God and your spiritual life? What can you do about it, starting tomorrow (or even today)?

3. Check out John 10:10. This verse has become the mantra for those wanting to have a healthy balance of mind, body, and spirit. How would you describe "abundant life"? Ask others to share their definition.