She Did What She Could

She did what she could.
She was a girl.
God chose a girl to act.
God chose a girl to change the world.

She did what she could.
She acted.
She didn't just think about acting.
She didn't act out of obligation.
She didn't let others act for her.
She didn't wait to be invited.

She did what she could.
She acted out of what she had, not what she wished she had.
She did what she could, not all she could.

She did what she could.
She was a specific woman with a specific story who acted out of the particulars of her life.
She acted because she knew she was loved and wanted to love back.

She did what she could.
She acted with what she had.
She acted where she was.
She acted when it mattered.

As a result of her action... she was ridiculed.
As a result of her action... she was honored.
The relationship resulted in a response.

What if I did what I could?
I'm a girl.
What would it mean for me to act?
What if I could change the world?

What if I did what I could?
What if I acted?
What if I didn't just think about acting but actually acted?
What if I didn't act out of obligation?
What if I didn't let others act for me?
What if I didn't just wonder about what difference I could make but actually took a step?

What if I did what I could?
What if I quit focusing on what I don't have and considered instead what I do have?
What if I let go of the pressure to do everything I could and instead did the one thing I could do now?
What if I started right now, in this moment, in this season of life, to do what I could?

What if I did what I could?
What if I offered my story and my skills?
What if I didn't wait until I had it right or finished or perfect?
What if I believed God loved me so much that I wanted to love him back by doing what I could?

What if I did what I could?
What if I acted with what I have?
What if I acted right where I am?
What if I acted because it might matter?

What if I did what I could?
As a result of my action, someone would be helped.
As a result of my action, I would be better.
As a result of my action, the world would be better.
What if I had a relationship that resulted in a response?

What if we did what we could?
What could we all accomplish if all of us did what we could?
What could we do together that we couldn't do alone?
What if I did what I could and you did what you could and then we did what we could?

What if we did what we could?
How would we change?
How would we change our world?

This is taken from the book She Did What She Could by: Elisa Morgan. This book shares the story of Mary of Bethany and what she did for Jesus before his death. Many of us are familiar with this story, but have we really taken the time to think about what it really meant for Mary. Jesus was gathered with close friends at Simon's house just hours before his death. Mary was there listening to him speak. At a specific moment Mary rose from her seat and slowly approached him clutching a special gift. When Mary was standing in front of Jesus she displayed a very expensive jar of perfume. This specific jar was equivalent to the pay from a years work. In order to open the bottle the neck must be snapped off and could not be closed again. This resulting in any unused perfume to go to waste. Mary took the jar and broke the neck and then poured the contents over Jesus' head. Gasps from those around her broke the silence as many called out judgements over her. Some said she could have sold the jar and fed the hungry with the money. Jesus looked up and smiled at Mary, hushing the crowd and said, "She has done a beautiful thing. Yes, her gift was expensive, but the money that went for it would never pay from the food needed for all the hungry in the world. She meant this as an offering uniquely for me, to prepare me for what I am facing. She did what she could. And because she did what she could she will be remembered as long as I am remembered."

You see, Mary probably could have done much more with that bottle of perfume, but she acted in the moment and showed her true love for Christ. Too often we get caught up in the excuses of why we aren't "doing" and therefore never truly do for others. I challenge you to look for areas that you can do what you can. We must find the balance. It is important to not take on too much, for then we can only half heartedly do each "job", but if we focus on a few things we can do them to our best ability.

Be a women that others will say of you, "She Did What She Could and her relationship with Jesus was surely strengthened."