The Power of One

September 1, 2012 by Jenny Herman 10 Comments

I will never forget what Elisabeth Elliot said when I had the privilege of hearing her speak in person. I didn’t know that as a young adult fresh out of college I didn’t really need those words as much then as I would fifteen or more years down the road of life.

Mrs. Elliot shared her story. She relayed how her husband and some other men who were missionaries to a dangerous tribe of Auca Indians were brutally murdered. Of course the next day she woke up in grief and shock. If I remember correctly, she said her daughter was two. Mrs. Elliot wondered what she and the other now-single women with young children would do.

I can’t even imagine.

Of course the audience hushed as they listened, including me. Then she shared what I’ll never forget. “I decided to do the next thing. I got out of bed, put my feet on the floor, and made the bed. Then I did the next thing, and the next.”

One is a powerful number. We don’t really think of it that way. After all, it’s small. Sure, it’s bigger than zero, but everything else is bigger.

When you’re overwhelmed by grief such as Elisabeth Elliot was, or drowning in the stormy seas of life, one throws out the life line. Just do one more thing. Don’t think about tomorrow. Don’t stress about the intimidatingly long to do list.

Just
Do
One
Thing.

I’ve had “the power of one” in my head for a long time. Maybe I’ll make a series out of it, maybe I won’t. But I read a post this morning that reminded me of it, and I wanted to share my thoughts and then the post.

If you’ve never visited Rachel Martin’s blog Finding Joy, you need to. Especially if you’re a woman. Her writing style is exquisite, and her heart for encouragement is huge. Her post “Dear Mom Who Feels Like She Is Failing” is what reminded me of my one thoughts. Take a few minutes to read her post and get encouragement as you start a new month and a new season.

What do you think? Is ONE powerful after all?

To read the rest of this series, click here.