What Difference can One Mom Make?

by Elisabeth Corcoran
"I look at the enormity of the problem and I can't help but think,
'what can one person do?'" It's occurred to me that I used to think
that way but that I don't anymore. One person can do much.

One person can pray with all she's got, begging God to intervene in
any situation, to pour out his power, to give her wisdom to know what
she can and should do. One person can give of her time in a way that
will be a sacrifice to her and of great benefit to others. One person
can give money…even a little bit of money…and that can be added to
what others have given and then multiplied when God steps in. One
person can call attention to an issue that is usually talked about in
hushed tones…making people aware of something they may have had no
idea about. One person can enter into the darkness, carrying her
little bit of light, and shed great illumination where only dim
shadows used to dwell. One person can touch another person's life in
small ways – with a kind word, a gentle touch, a moment of time to
listen and hold and cry with. One person can take her gifts and pour
them out into someone else's life, knowing that freely has she
received and freely should she give. One person can take her hurt and
ask Christ to turn it into a blessing as she connects with the pain of
another hurting heart. One person can move into another person's life
in large ways – with a shout against injustice, a rallying of a group
to do something of meaning, a hand reaching out to draw someone out of
their circumstances permanently.

Moms, we're told time and again that we as women have the ability to
set the tone of our home. That our daughters will learn how to be
women and mothers by watching and modeling after us, and that our sons
will grow up to look for wives that mirror their mothers. We have been
given not just the ability, but the responsibility, to do great good.
One life at a time. In our home. And in our world.

This year…2007…can be the year that we allow our one life to do a
world of good for someone else's life. What can one person do in
comparison to the vastness of our world's problems? Each one of us can
do much. We each have so much to give. And we are called to do just
that.

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we
must care for those in their distress. -James 1:27-

My challenge to myself and to each one of you is this: go be a light
in the dark in this New Year, ladies.

(c) Elisabeth K. Corcoran, 2007

Elisabeth Corcoran is the author of In Search of Calm: Renewal for a
Mother's Heart (2005) and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom's
Weary Soul (2001). She is wife to Kevin, and mom to Sara, 10, and
Jack, 8-&-1/2. Her passion is encouraging women and the Church which
she fulfills through serving in leadership on staff part-time at
Christ Community Church – Blackberry Creek Campus in Aurora, Illinois,
and writing and speaking as much as she can. In Search of Calm can be
purchased through Xulon at #1.866.909.2665 or www.xulonpress.com; Calm
in My Chaos can be purchased at #1-888-644-0500 or www.kregel.com; or
they are both available at amazon.com, or ordered through your local
Christian bookstore. You can learn more about Elisabeth and her
ministry at www.elisabethcorcoran.com.