Ronny Keller Michel – From the Heart

As I write this, the memories of the elementary talent show that I attended last night are fresh in my mind. It was great. Students unashamedly danced, sang, and even did cheers for the proud audience of family and friends. We were all there to root for them, and we did so wholeheartedly. But not only did the adults applaud, the children clapped and encouraged each other. You would have thought that we were at the Olympics. For the children, it was just as important as any Olympic game. And that’s the phrase that reverberated through my heart the entire night, this is for the children. All of the planning and preparing for the night was worth it because it was a chance to shine the spotlight on the children.

As I sat in the audience, Mr. Lyndon Pousson, whose grandchildren were participating in the show, leaned over and said, “Enjoy them now. They’ll grow up fast.”. As he said that, I began to wonder what will happen to these children as they grow. If a talent show is held twenty years from now, would these same children boldly climb the steps to the stage and confidently sing their song, dance their dance, or cheer their cheer? Would you?

What would happen if an adult talent show was held? Would the seamstress show her latest creation? Would the carpenter bring out a bookcase that he had just completed? Would the businesswoman display her balanced budget? Would the educator demonstrate her latest teaching technique? Would the chef share his favorite recipe? Would the singer sing and would the dancer dance? And just as importantly, would we applaud the efforts of others or would we sit and silently wish that their talents were ours?

Relax. There probably won’t be an adult talent show. But every day we have a chance to make the best use of our God-given abilities. I want to become like the little children. Last night they were confident enough to display their talent and secure enough to encourage the others. It doesn’t matter if I’m not perfect. I’m just going to follow the advice of Charles Swindoll and “do the best I can, with what I’ve got, for as long as I’m able.”