At Admin the other week, we were discussing the whole idea of “It’s the thought that counts.” We were wondering where that saying came from, because it kind of…isn’t true?
The idea of the thought counting more than the actual action doesn’t really line up with what we actually think when someone does something thoughtful. If someone thinks about getting you flowers for six month but never does…it’s not a very heartfelt gesture. It’s just sort of…not doing anything.
This realization led to us wondering what does actually count. Obviously, when someone does something nice and thoughtful for you, it’s appreciated, or it should be. But sometimes you try to do something nice for someone else and it doesn’t work out.
Maybe you try to get reservations at a special restaurant, maybe you try to find their favorite flowers (the only things I can think right now are romantic…) but you are unable to. The restaurant is full. The flowers are sold out or aren’t in season.
So you don’t end up doing this special act, but you tried. You put the effort in to find something the other person would appreciate, but for reasons out of your control, it fell through.
This seemed much more honorable to us, because they weren’t just thinking about doing something – they took action.
This conversation ended with us deciding that a more accurate statement would be “It’s the try that counts”. Because trying something always beats just thinking about it.
I think this sort of applies to our walk with God as well. Thinking about doing things doesn’t get us very far. “I should read my Bible,” or “I’m going to share about Jesus with my neighbor,” doesn’t really do much unless you actually step out and do it.
This isn’t supposed to be a Nike commercial; it’s just a reminder that if you’ve been thinking about something for a long time, do it. Don’t wait for a “better time” or “feeling the right mood”. Because often you don’t feel like focusing time on God. And then you’re stuck in a cycle of never doing anything.
Think about what you want to do, then do it.
