The Paperclip

I go to music lessons. There is a sidewalk between where I park and entering the building. On that sidewalk there sat a paperclip.

I guess a paperclip dropped on a sidewalk isn’t all that unusual. What is unusual is how long this paperclip has been sitting there. I think I first saw this paperclip shortly after our last snow melted which by my recollection was about 6 months ago. For most of the last 6 months, I’ve been walking this sidewalk at least weekly and some weeks, multiple times.

I’m not sure why I noticed it or why I didn’t pick it up, but it reminded me of a motivational story entitled “Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody”

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

The point of the story is that instead of sitting around and expecting someone else to take care of the problems, you can take the initiative to make the situation better.

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.”- 1 Chronicles 16:23-30 ESV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” - Proverbs 3:5-12

I should have suggested taking the initiative following God’s laws and discerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit.