The Best That I Can

This happened a few years ago, but a bad day or an overwhelming sense of failure can take me right back. It was winter, and I had our youngest with me, running errands. She was pre-school age, and because of chronic health issues, was delayed in several areas.

The pre-school component she was attending under was special needs. This gutted me for a long time, because when it all started, it was a simple medicine she was supposed to take. But so much more took place, leaving her with a lot of medicines, therapies, and not taking very much for granted anymore.

The parking lot was slick, and ice pellets were coming down. I wanted to hurry, I’m sure my child did as well. Her small, slow steps were in her classroom setting, cause for celebration. She was mobile, she was using skills they worked on.

In a sleet, bone-cold day when a group of people are trying to get stuff accomplished?

There wasn’t anyone celebrating her small steps.

In fact, I heard a guy mumble, “Hurry up.”

This wasn’t the first time I heard someone make a remark or even stop me to give their opinion on how I was raising this child. Complete strangers, mind you, who had no idea what we’ve been through.

It was the first time I had the courage and exhaustion to reply.

I turned around, holding her hand, and said, “Sir, we’re doing the best we can.”

Julie

He hemmed and hawed, I’m sure mortified I heard him. He tried to tell me it wasn’t a problem, but the tears were already coming. We both knew he was lying.

But that moment comes back to me not just as a time I addressed our situation in public against criticism, it was also my own victory. I didn’t see it at the time, but those bad days?

I’m doing the best I can.

I also realize nine times out of ten, whatever isn’t going great is still better than what it was yesterday, or a week ago. The measuring stick I’m so harsh to judge myself with, God’s not using. He celebrates the small steps, the little moments, the tiny accomplishments we probably overlook or get down on ourselves about.

I’ve said it more than once. I write what I write when God says, and what He says. I felt this was supposed to be an encouragement for someone. If you feel like you’re getting pelted by ice and you want to get stuff done and it just isn’t happening the way you want—you are doing the best you can.

You’ve got this.

God’s got you.

Cheer those small victories.

Don’t get caught up in what’s left to do. Celebrate what’s been done.

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In Entrusted, Jenna Anderson produces a lot of change for mountain grocer Ben Regan. She tries so hard to fit in with her new zip code and job, but Ben’s not impressed. This is my first book, and I love it, because Jenna does the best that she can. Check it out!