Finding True Value

All eyes turned as she entered the library. She paused for a moment, feeling awkward, yet inspired at the gaze of all present. A smile flickered across Marilyn’s countenance as she made her way into the crowded room. Her strong arms skilfully spun the squeaking wheels on her wheelchair.

Marilyn smiled at a group of whispering young men as she passed by. The one looked kind of cute — but of course there would be enough time for them.

Removing her glasses, she peered about to locate a shelf of attractive literature. Suspecting the books she wanted were behind her, she whirled her wheelchair around.

Crash!!

“Help!” cried Nancy as she spun to the floor — her books scattering everywhere.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” gasped Marilyn. “I didn’t know you were standing there.”

She sat anxiously by as Nancy picked herself up off the floor and gathered her books.

“I always seem to be running into people,” muttered Marilyn.

Nancy brushed some dust off her jeans and hurried out of the library. Marilyn hung her head as many inquisitive eyes returned to their books.

“I’m a good-for-nothing,” mourned Marilyn quietly.

She glanced at the young men present. To her immense relief, they had returned to their studies.

Once again, Marilyn wheeled through the library to locate some piquant reading.

She paused momentarily in the music section. Several biographies looked fascinating, but she passed them up.

Moving on, Marilyn found the psychology section. The title of one treatise sprang out at her. She removed it from the shelf, wheeled into a corner, and began to read — What I Could Be; Would Be; Should Be; but Won’t Be.

In those moments when we feel like Marilyn, we need to stop and consider whom we are trying to please and who can help us become what we ought to be.

Although Marilyn is a fictitious character, we often feel that we are of little value. We turn to a variety of sources for help, get a boost for awhile, then find ourselves back where we started.

The Bible tells us that we are all of i