Small contributions can make a big difference

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

- John 6:9 (NIV)

After shopping, I stopped outside our local grocery store and reached in my pocket to make a charitable contribution. As I dropped my money in the jar, I noticed several copper and silver coins.

I thought to myself, how nice that everyone who dropped in those coins realized there was no contribution too small to make a difference.

Sometimes we get the mindset that we have to do all or nothing in order to make a difference.

I have a friend who is a perfectionist. Perfectionism, like any trait, can be an asset, but it also has its downside. My friend sets herself up for failure with a to-do list a mile long and then gets stuck thinking she hasn't accomplished enough if she hasn't completed her whole list.

I'm encouraging her not to be discouraged, because every small step she takes is helping her accomplish that big list.

Sometimes, we are so focused on the big picture, we tend to forget that little steps accomplish a lot. Often, we tend to do nothing to help someone because we feel it isn't enough. History is filled with stories about individuals who made a difference with one small contribution.

One of my favorites is about the little boy who gave his lunch of five barley loaves and two fish to Jesus to feed the crowd of more than 5,000 men, women and children.

I like to imagine, as he packed his brown paper sack with fish and bread that morning, he didn't have a clue he was about to hand it over to God, who would use it to provide a miracle that could feed an enormous crowd. All the innocent boy knew was there were hungry people, and he wanted to help out.

I wonder if that story is what caused Edmund Burke to write the famous quote, "Nobody makes a greater mistake then he who does nothing because he could only do a little."

As you go about your life, remember not to turn aside from the small contributions that could make a miraculous difference.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach, and nurse. Invite her to speak at your church group, business or organization or be your personal coach. Annettee can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. Visit www.annetteebudzban.com.