Sabbath Devotional :: "Don't let Perfect be the Enemy of Good" and Unwritten Stories

“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” It’s not exactly what Voltaire said, but it is how it’s known in common parlance.

What don’t we do because we think we need to do it perfectly?

What don’t we do because we think it won’t be enough, won’t matter, won’t make a big enough difference, won’t be important enough?

What don’t we do because we think somebody else could do it better? What don’t we do because somebody may criticize us, or shake their heads, or rebuke us?

What good things aren’t we doing?

I fight this fight more often than I’d like to admit. I’m not satisfied unless I do an intense, deep, hour-long scripture study, which is more often than not unrealistic, so then I’m tempted not to read at all.

I find myself thinking my prayers should be incredible or aren’t worth saying, and so I am tempted not to pray at all.

A little voice plants this idea that my actions aren’t good enough unless they are perfect or performed on a large scale. But I know that voice is wrong. For example, reading a verse is still worthwhile. A short “I’m trying” prayer is still meaningful. And even smiling at somebody can have a huge effect on their day.

It reminds me of one of my favorite bible stories and general conference talks from Elder Holland. In Mark 9, we read that a family is overcome with suffering. As Elder Holland recounts, “This man is saying, in effect, ‘Our whole family is pleading. Our struggle never ceases. We are exhausted. Our son falls into the water. He falls into the fire. He is continually in danger, and we are continually afraid. We don’t know where else to turn. Can you help us? We will be grateful for anything — a partial blessing, a glimmer of hope, some small lifting of the burden carried by this boy’s mother every day of her life.’” (“Lord, I believe . . .”)

Jesus responds in verse 23 by saying, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

In verse 24, we read, “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” And then Jesus heals the boy.

The father had doubts. He had unbelief. What would have happened if he had let those doubts rule the day? What if he hadn’t left his home because he didn’t think his faith was good enough, that he was not good enough to appeal to the one who could save his son? What if he’d let his fears overcome him?

The story would have ended very differently; likely, there would be no story at all.

What stories are at risk of remaining unwritten because we are afraid to act? Who remains unhealed because of our belief we need to be perfect or not show up at all?

As Mother Theresa says, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” And the world desperately needs us to do so. Or as Khalil Gibran says, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.”