Half a Walk is Better Than No Walk
Monday, November 10, 2025 by Melissa McLaughlin

By Melissa McLaughlin

With a to-do list in hand, I hurried around town. My grocery cart glided through the aisles at the supermarket as I grabbed a few missing ingredients for dinner. Next, I headed to the pharmacy drive-through to pick up prescriptions. Last stop was the dollar store to choose cards for upcoming birthdays.

My car rounded the bend of our neighborhood and rolled into our driveway as the sun fell low on the horizon. With arms loaded, I scurried into the house.

My husband’s voice greeted me. “How’d it go? Did you find everything you needed?”

A sigh slipped out. “Yes,” I moaned. “That took longer than expected, though. I was hoping to take a walk to get some fresh air and exercise this evening. But look, it’s getting dark. I can’t take a walk now.”

My husband’s gaze turned toward the window. The setting sun cast shadows through the trees, shading our backyard as if under a black umbrella.

“If you can’t take a walk, can you take half a walk?” he asked.

With brightened eyes and a lift in my shoulders, I chuckled, “You’re right! I could take half a walk. And half a walk is better than no walk.”

Half a Walk is Better Than No Walk

Easing back into my sweatshirt, I turned and darted out the door.

The daylight dimmed as I walked. Birds serenaded with evening songs while my feet kept rhythm. Cool evening air filled my lungs, refreshing my body. The smell of faded autumn leaves surrounded me.

Returning home, I opened the door. A contented smile lit my face.

I called to my husband with lilting words and an uplifted tone. “You were right, honey. If I can’t take a walk, I can take half a walk. And half a walk is better than no walk.”

Doing the Small Things

These wise words from my husband caused me to consider the many applications of this simple truth. I reflected on the times when I gave up because I couldn’t accomplish the whole task.

Have you ever felt that way, too?

Have you ever felt that if you can’t spend the full time you intended for Bible reading and prayer, then you might as well not do anything at all?
Perhaps the volunteer job that needs to be filled at church appears too time-consuming. So we do nothing.
Or maybe the needs of your community or the number of people hurting in the world is so great that you feel you can’t do anything.
Maybe other people are doing so much that you wonder why you should bother with the little you can do?

May God remind us that no one can do everything. But we can do some things.

If we don’t have the full amount of time that we hoped to read the Bible and pray, let’s do the small part we can. Even meditating on one Bible verse and praying to God with a brief prayer is better than none.

If we can’t donate all of our time or resources to the church or community, maybe we can help in a smaller way.

If the needs of the world are so great that we feel like we can’t do anything, let’s thank God we can do something. Even a five-dollar donation is better than nothing.

Though God may have positioned other people to accomplish more than we can, He still calls us to use what we have been given for His glory and to bless others.

May God unlock our stuck minds and unshackle our stymied hearts to do the small things we can. Like joyful children offering a few coins jingling in our piggy banks, let us not hold back the little we can give.

Whether taking care of ourselves or loved ones, spending time with God, or helping at church or in the community, may we remember that when we place our limited resources in God’s hands, small things become great.

Like a child, let’s bring our loaves and fish to Jesus and let Him do the rest.

“If you can’t take a walk, can you take half a walk?”

“Half a walk is better than no walk.”

Luke 16:10 – If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.

Zechariah 4:10 – Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.

Are there situations in your life where you can’t do everything, but you can do something? May God renew your strength to do the small things you can.

P.S.Are you looking for a gift to give this year that offers eternal value? Check out my award-winning book, The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible? It comes with a free downloadable Small Group Study Guide. Makes a great book for small groups, individual or home study, or Sunday School classes. Available at Amazon and other major retailers.

Comments

Karen Friday From TN At 11/16/2025 10:19:33 AM

I love this piece, Melissa. The way you unpacked "half a walk" to relate to various areas of our life is so good. I pray not to get caught in the mindset of doing nothing if I can't do it all. God bless!

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

You're right, Karen, it can be a self-defeating mindset when we give up instead of doing the small things we can do. May we enjoy the "half a walk" opportunities this week, as we walk with the One who sees us and carries us to the end.

Jessica Brodie From SC At 11/15/2025 5:05:45 PM

So good! I heard recently that anything worth doing is worth doing halfway... it gave me pause, but when you think about it, it's true... and it ties right in to the point of your blog! Great analogy!

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

That quote gives me pause, too, because it's not what we're expecting. But sometimes, when we are faithful in the small things, God can grow us from there.

Linda Raha From Virginia At 11/13/2025 11:20:54 AM

This was a great post! You are so right...every little bit makes a difference.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Thank you for reading and sharing an encouraging word, Linda! May we be grateful for the small things we can do!

Yvonne Morgan From Oklahoma At 11/13/2025 10:12:04 AM

What a great idea. I plan to put your advice into practice for the times I can’t get it all done. Sometime, half a walk gives us enough strength to get back on track. Thanks Melissa

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

I'm glad you were encouraged, Yvonne! Doing a little bit is doing something. God bless!

Warren McLaughlin From Pennsylvania At 11/11/2025 4:43:00 PM

I really was blessed by the writing and the verses you chose. We do what we can.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Thank you for blessing me with your kind and wise encouragement!

Melissa Henderson From Mount Pleasant SC At 11/11/2025 12:35:40 PM

I've learned that due to health issues, I can't do all the things I once did. But, God shows me that I can continue to show His love and glory through many ways. :-) Have a blessed week dear friend. :-)

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Thank you for sharing this word of honesty and hope, Melissa. God can definitely use our offerings of love to accomplish much, even when we struggle with our health. I'm praying for you, sweet friend! God bless you!

Ellie Parks From Philadelphia, PA At 11/11/2025 8:15:04 AM

Amen! :)

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Thank you for reading, Ellie! May God encourage us to do our little part, even if it's only half of what we expected to do! God bless you!

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Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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