I cannot imagine my life without a small group of Christian brothers/sisters who meet together to pray, study the Bible, and just to “do life” together! As a kid I was always in some kind of small group – a cub and boy scout troop, a sports team, or a Sunday School Class (taught amazingly by my mother in elementary school and my father in high school).
As an adult my small “accountability” groups have always grown out of the church. At LaSalle Street Church in Chicago we called them “cell groups” and we met at one another’s house regularly. At Christ Church of Oak Brook I was part of a five-man group which also met regularly for over 10 years. Currently, and for the past five years, I have been part of a group made up of five couples – we call ourselves “Parents Anonymous (PA).”
Last night our PA group met and as usual I was blessed beyond words by the connection, the honesty, and the encouragement which are always present every time we meet. One of our group, Mark, shared a 12-word poem/proverb which he called his “pioneer saying” that he learned in high school: Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without. The rest of our group sat quietly in awe as we focused on the meaning of this poem for our own lives, and I asked him to send it to each of us. And he did.
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without. Our 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, is credited by many with creating this proverb to help people create in their lives frugality and resourcefulness, especially needed during the Great Depression. But others claim the proverb goes back to the 1700’s – we just don’t know and likely never will know who first said Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without!
I cannot get this poem/proverb out of my mind. Each of the four phrases has grabbed my mind, my heart, and my soul at a very deep level. Beyond the obvious meaning that Pres. Coolidge wanted Americans to heed, to me the poem/proverb can apply to our spiritual lives in a most profound way. One simple example: Jesus told us, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” [John 13:34].
Our response to Jesus’ “new command” takes us through Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, Or Do Without. “Loving others” is to be a hallmark of my life, I must show love at such a constant level that I may feel I am “using it up” and “wearing it out” – but the goal is always to “make it do” since “doing without” is NOT an option for Christ-followers. May my friend Mark’s “pioneer saying” and Pres. Coolidge’s “proverb to the nation” bring you deeper insights as you chew on God’s written word! Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do, or Do Without!
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The Merton Prayer 