Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday June 5, 2007

The mail is pouring in and wandering if I have anymore to say about the value of "Improving The Practice of My Profession" and if I have any wisdom of my own? I am writing a little more about improving the gift we offer the world, and no, I do not have wisdom of my own. I get most of my wisdom from Jesus and the rest from the grand mind of The Great Blonde.

Said Great Blonde brought this gem to my attention, which loosely, but accurately translated means that I had better have at least one article on the gem. I honestly say that it really is a gem and I am thankful to have it and to share it with you.

It was said by Emile Zola who lived from 1840 to 1902, so I was surprised that he would have said anything apropos for the world in which we now live. Nevertheless, here it is, you make up your own mind:

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work."

I wish I could find something wrong with the statement, but alas, another ancient man has spewed forth a timeless treasure.

Think about it for but a moment and the vision of men and women whom you know will come to the fore of your mind and you will see them. You will say concerning one, "She is truly gifted" and of a man, “"has a gift from the Lord." And while you are speaking you will wonder at the lack of accomplishment within the field of their obvious gift. Why? It's really simple; while gifted they do not apply themselves to the polishing of the gift. They are gifted but, much like Sampson, they never really get in line with the gift and it is wasted in spite of a few grand accomplishments along the way.

And then there are the majority of folk, who having no gift for the area they dream of dominating, work their fingers to the bone, and as the song states all they get is bony fingers. In many cases the "boney fingers" people end up in better shape than those who are gifted. They work hard, study, ask questions of others who have "made it" in the field and live a quality life, in spite of the shadow of not being gifted hanging over them.

Pete Rose was the second type of person. Most every commentator I have heard or read, always remarks about Pete's lack of the "Gift" of a Ted Williams or Brooks Robinson, yet Pete in spite of gift lack went on to be serious candidate for the Hall of Fame, had he not also been ungifted in the field of gambling. He apparently had no gift but that of tenacity and this gift of hustle propelled him to the top of his profession. During the span of Pete's career other gifted players, who were so naturally good that Pete could not carry their glove, actually out performed them on the field of play because he knew he was not God's gift to the game and simply out hustled many who were seemingly such gifts. On the diamond, over the years Pete improved the practice of his profession and the rest is history. Remember, no one really has the gift of gambling as in the long run the game belongs to the house. At least I think the Bible says so. If not experience will teach you the truth of the statement!

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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