In what ways will each of us “have mattered” when we look back on our lives? Through scientific discoveries? By writing moving and imaginative stories? By raising a happy family? By providing for others’ health care? By bringing laughter into many lives? By leading a large staff to provide much-needed services or products? By “being there” for someone else? By showing up for work each day?
The list is endless. And this planet will be a happier place when each of us decides to withhold judgment about which skills and gifts are worthy of respect and which are not. What we can do is work harder at respecting each other, regardless of circumstances.
It’s up to each of us to make this world a better place. Government, religion, and other institutions can go only so far; the rest is up to us. Let’s be good to each other. Matter!!
This message is an excerpt from a Women of the ELCA blog by Cheryl Crockett. Today we remember Johann Sebastian Bach, who died in 1750; Heinrich Schütz, who died in 1672; George Frederick Handel, who died in 1759; musicians.
Daily Grace has been offering you things to ponder and things to pray about for more than 10 years. For free. Women of the ELCA provides many other free online resources, too—see welca.org/resources. Please support Women of the ELCA at welca.org/give.