Doing What You Can

This afternoon I had the privilege of speaking at the graveside service for an 86 year old friend of mine from church who passed away on Thursday. He was a World War II veteran. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer of those men still with us.

My friend had battled cancer and other health issues for some time. Through the years, even when his health was faltering, it was obvious he loved his wife and family, his country and his church. I had come to know him and his wife as he had served faithfully as an usher and greeter at Sevier Heights. But there was a story I shared about my friend today that I think succinctly captured who he was and how he lived:

A couple of years ago, I walked into our church's worship center for the first morning of Vacation Bible School. There, on the back row, sat my friend. In faltering health. In his early 80's. Wearing a multi-colored VBS shirt (over a long sleeved dress shirt).

Surprised to see him in that setting, and knowing he was not well, I said, "Well, good morning. I didn't know you were working VBS this year".

I'll never forget his reply: "I thought I would do what I could to help". Turns out he was going to help serve snacks to the children during their snack breaks that week.

"I thought I would do what I could to help". Wow!

Here's The Point: The world would be a much better place if each of us would simply do what we can to help and to serve others.