Beech Tree News Network

As reported by my middle daughter, her pastor in Ohio County preached a message last Sunday about doing the best you can with what you are given. The pastor pointed out that on the night of Jesus’ birth, Joseph and the inn keeper did the best they could with their situations. Doing the best you can with what you have is pretty good advice.

As a child receiving my school report cards, my dad used to ask if the grades reflected my best effort. He would tell my siblings and me that as long as our grades reflected our best effort, then the grade was ok. Unfortunately, at that time teachers also gave conduct grades which took into consideration how much a child talked in class. That grade was my downfall.

    Others have also commented about doing one’s best:
•    I do the very best I know how, the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end. -Abraham Lincoln
•    In every aspect of life, have a game plan, and then do your best to achieve it. -Alan Kulwicki
•    You can only do your best. That's all you can do. And if it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough. -Imelda Staunton
•    Do your best when no one is looking. If you do that, then you can be successful in anything that you put your mind to. -Bob Cousy
•    If you try to do your best there is no failure. -Mike Farrell
(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/do_your_best.html)

As one year is about to end and another begin, that pastor’s message presents a timely challenge. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” And, have a very happy New Year!