Have I Done Any Good?

I catch myself complaining about all the obligations and pressures I feel.  So many challenges, and opposition, I feel other people are being selfish and I start to complain.  It isn’t until I hear the same things coming from others that i realize just how self-absorbed I had been.  So the hymn comes to mind “Have I Done Any Good”.  I love the first 4 lines of the 1st verse.  If I haven’t done something to help another, then I have failed.  This song helps me to forget myself and think of what good I can do for someone else.  We have become so busy lately.  Are we busy giving service? or satisfying our own desires? 

1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

2. There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Text and music: Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909, alt.