Don’t worry, I got it.

The other day I was thinking about a weeklong event I conducted years ago at a church I pastored.    

Each night we gave out a program. 

There’s something I’ve learned about programs, they’re nice when you need them, but they are mostly worthless when the program is over and most people trash them or…and here’s the crux of this little story…they leave them on their seat.

On that first night, after the service was over, and most everyone had gone, I found myself looking over a sanctuary that was awash in discarded programs. 

What a discouraging sight. 

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, one of the men in the church—a quiet, unassuming man who had undoubtedly seen my look of despair, said, “Pastor, don’t worry, I got it.” 

And then, without any fanfare or “I’ll do this but you’re really putting me out” attitude, he began gathering the programs up and herded me out the door.

For the rest of that week, once service was over, that dear man, would quietly begin walking through the pews gathering up the discarded bulletins and other trash that had been left behind.

I’ve never forgotten that amazing gift.   In the big scheme of things, it was a very small matter.  But to me, it made a huge difference.

The ONE THING for today: Everyday you and I are confronted with problems and difficulties that are not our responsibility or on our job description.  We’ve got choice.  We can ignore them and get on with our lives, or we can say, “I got it” and share our life with someone else.   And by the way, I have learned that the things we do for free, often give us the greatest return.

So, the next time you see that look of despair on someone’s face, smile at them and say, “Don’t worry, I got it.”