The Something's We CAN Do

Yesterday morning I awoke to a phone call from my allergist's office. I groaned when I saw the number. Just last year, I discovered through medical testing that I had more severe allergies than I suspected and have been struggling with getting through three full weeks without a really bad sick spell. Although it was going to be a strain on my budget, I recently decided to begin a treatment of allergy injections.

With the ringing of my phone, my mind immediately thought the doctor's office must be calling because of a problem with the upcoming shots or additional expenses. The nurse's voice quickly woke me up when she said, "Misty, the doctor wants to give you 50% off on the costs of the shots."

I think I immediately screamed into her ear, "Are you serious!!?" I would be paying out of pocket. My doctor felt confident that my health would improve from the injections and wanted to make them more affordable for me.

Sometimes I feel very taken aback by how often people go the extra mile for me. I can think of several times when people, both friends and those who did not know me well, just seemed to really want to act on my behalf. I am so grateful and appreciative of their actions, so humbled by how many things have worked out for me because someone else saw my situation and decided to step in. Seeing the difference their gestures have made makes me want to be that person for other people more often. I want to be more sensitive to the details of people's circumstances and what opportunities I have to act for them.

I definitely understand the quote, "You can't be everything to everyone." Also similar are Edward Everett Hale's words, "I can not do everything, but still, I can do something." I have been the recipient of compassionate people reaching out to me. I know that none of us can magically fix the whole world or take away everyone's pain, despite how much we wish we could.

But some things we can do. Some things may seem too minimal and trivial to matter, but may be a significant chunk of encouragement to someone desperately longing for even the smallest morsel of hope.

We can't do everything. But let's start to look for the something's we can.