Article April 8, 1939 Issue

Doing Little Things Well

[Written Especially for Young People]

LAURA EDITH SUTHERLAND

A child was once taught to do well whatever she attempted, and to finish her task. Often the tasks were quite simple—the ironing of a handkerchief, or some such simple thing. She was often told that duties which are well done may give much joy to many people. The little girl found that this simple rule was helpful, no matter what might be at hand to do. While she did not realize it until later, she had been taught one of the lessons which we all must learn, namely, that progress begins in doing little things well and happily.

During her years in school the same zeal for doing all things well helped her not only to excel in her classes, but to do her best for the joy of doing well. This experience led her farther.

Her college years were filled with the search for a better understanding of service and of goodness; for the desire to do well is intimately associated with the desire to serve. She found herself striving for an understanding of God. She discovered that there is a law underlying perfection. Students of Christian Science know that it is the law of God; for as Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and the author of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," tells us (p. 353), "Perfection underlies reality." As the student continued her search for a richer meaning of service, the words of Christ Jesus kept coming to her, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." What did the verse mean? Why did it recur so often in her thinking of God and of service? Possibly it meant to be willing to do what God wanted one to do. So she added to faithfulness in little things a more willing obedience to do what she hoped might be greater service.

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