by David Scott Robertson
I lament that I didn't invent the personal computer.
Traffic lights weren't my idea. I didn't create sticky notes, cell phones, or toilet paper.
I lament that I have never won an Olympic gold medal, never ran a marathon, and that I don't have six-pack abs.
I lament that I have never had a book published, never acted in a motion picture, and have never been on Larry King Live.
I lament that I can't play a single musical instrument, can't paint worth a lick, nor carry a tune in a bucket.
I lament that I will probably never hold a public office, never sing the national anthem at a major sporting event, and may never do anything most 21st century Americans associate with greatness.
I lament that I haven't come up with a cure for cancer and don't have the education to even try. I won't re-invent the wheel, won't balance America's budget, and won't eliminate racism.
So what's a faceless nobody like me to do? Am I destined to live and die in obscurity? Has my life been of no effect and have I lived in vain thus far? Will I leave a legacy that will outlive me?
Just because I am not directly or indirectly responsible for life-saving, time-saving, space-saving or money-making inventions doesn't mean that I am insignificant.
To the contrary, along with the Apostle Paul I can say, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
" I have value to God because I am His child.
" I have value to my wife because I am her husband.
" I have value to my daughter because I am her father.
" I have value to my parents because I am their son.
" I have value to my brother because I am his brother.
" I have value to my friends because I am their friend.
You and I can choose to spend our time lamenting over what we never did and what we never owned and where we never went and who we never met or…
…we can rejoice in the fact that we are what we are by the grace of God and His grace given to us is not without effect having promise in the present life and in the life to come.
DSR
5/29/05