“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

  “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

- President Theodore Roosevelt

26th President of the United States of America
Governor of the State of New York
Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Rough Rider - San Juan Hill
City of New York Police Commissioner
Assistant United States Navy Secretary


This quote from Theodore Roosevelt is quite amazing when you look at what he accomplished during his life.  I listed several things he is known for; I did not list that he lost both his mother and wife on the same day (February 14, 1884), nor that he lost a son in Germany during World War I, nor that during his second bid for Presidency (which he lost to Woodrow Wilson) there was an assassination attempt on his life in which he was shot in the chest.  Even through all of these horrible life events, he achieved the goals I listed above, as well as many other achievements.

Now that you know a little more about the man who said, "do what you can, with what you have, where you are", I hope it resonates in you that your life does not need to be perfect, or even good, to be successful! 

The first part of this quote says "Do what you can".  That is not hard - don't do any more than you can, but don't do any less either.  Simply do what you can do!

"With what you have"; don't worry about not having abilities others have.  Don't worry about not being born with a "silver spoon in your mouth".  Just simply use what you have.  Every one of us are unique, God gave each and every one of us individual abilities, talents, and skills.  Use what you have!

"Where you are"; every one of us is in a different place (physically, mentally, emotionally, financially).  Bloom where you are!  Even if the grass looks greener in someone else's circumstances and you wish you were in their situation, remember Erma Bombeck wrote a book several years ago titled "The Grass is Always Greener over the Septic Tank".  That other person's life may look better than yours, their situation may appear more desirable, they may even be more successful than you and making far more money than you do; but it may all be (you know what) just under the surface.

Today's spiritual application is to look at some of the men and women of the Bible who accomplished great things doing what they can (with God's help - who, by the way, says that you can do "ALL THINGS" through Christ), with what they had, where they were.

Moses - born into slavery, raised by royalty, fled for his life after murdering a man, lives on the backside of the desert for 40 years, who at the age of 80 confronted the most powerful man on the planet of their time and lead out an entire nation from slavery.

David - a runty shepherd boy who, in the presence of the warriors of his country who were quivering in their boots, took on a giant of a man and slew him with a child's toy and a smooth stone.

How about the Apostles - 11 men who watched as their leader was crucified, hidden away in a room because they knew they would be next, who litterally turned the world upside down before they died.