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I’m a fan of the Happier podcast by author Gretchen Rubin and her sister Elizabeth Craft. In a very special episode they asked listeners this question, “What is the best advice you’ve ever received?” The responses spanned from work to parenting to household hints. But one stood out to me above the rest.
A music therapist shared how early in her career working with clients, she’d told a supervisor she felt discouraged about not making as much of a difference as she’d hoped. The supervisor simply said this: “You can’t be a therapist to everyone but you can be a therapist to someone.”
As I listened to this my own version of the same sentence instantly popped into my mind. “You can’t be an encourager to everyone but you can be an encourager to someone.” In that instant I let out a sigh of relief and felt some of the tension slip from my shoulders.
You can create your own version of this sentence too…
I can’t be a ___________ to everyone but I can be a ___________ to someone. What would you write there—friend, leader, mentor, counselor, teacher?
Whatever it is I’m convinced it matters. And that trying to do this for all means we will likely do it for none. Oh, maybe for a bit we’ll look like we’re pulling it off. But eventually we’ll be stretched thin and worn out. We’ll feel resentment nipping at our heels and wonder why we agreed to do this in the first place.
This is the time to pause and ask, “Who is my someone?” In other words, who do I know God has asked me to serve today? It’s another version of the parable Jesus told where the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go look for the one.
I don’t think this literally means we’re only to serve one person. I think it’s more about understanding that we’re not called to anonymous crowds. We’re called to relationships and connecting with each other in meaningful ways.
Even Jesus did not heal everyone in Israel while He was here. Instead He lived with focus and intention, only doing what His Father asked. Following His example means we can let go of the guilt that we are not doing more. We can love well the people right in front of us and trust God is the One taking care of the whole big, wide world.
We can’t be all things to everyone but we can be something to someone today.
And this is enough.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
* If you liked this post you’ll love this book – You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be
* Looking for a study to do with a group this fall or next spring? Check out the You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide and free videos.
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Welcome to the Coffee for Your Heart weekly link-up! You’re an encourager so I’m asking you to pour out a little love with your words every Wednesday {link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
Pretty please use this button in your blog post so others can easily join in with us {html code in right sidebar}. And when you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth
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