What is the value of a life? Princess or pauper. Who has the most influence? I believe there is a divine spark within each of us that gives us the desire and opportunity to accomplish more than we could ever imagine. Each of us has a divine mandate to accomplish something no one else can. We are like the proverbial snowflake, each one uniquely beautiful. We all have a purpose and we are most joyful when we are fulfilling the measure of our creation; when we are growing and expanding and contributing.
Today I learned about two wonderful people and the juxtaposition made me smile. One might assume that a princess, a person of great wealth, opportunity, and position would be so much more able to accomplish greatness in her lifetime than a simple, poor girl living in Philadelphia. But, when I read their stories, I felt their influence was quite similar.
In the case of the princess, Princess Elizabeth, she was a little known pivotal behind-the-scenes figure in America's hard won liberty. Sister to Louis the XVI and sister-in-law to Marie Antoinette, she was a contemporary and friend of Benjamin Franklin and used her influence to help the cause of America. Even as she went to the guillotine, she encouraged her fellow citizens to keep their courage and hold their faith in God. What a true lady.
57 cents is what made the pauper great. 57 cents? What does that have to do with anything? Vision. The little girl, Hattie May Wiat, just wanted to go to Sunday School. The children and others were often turned away because there was not enough room in the church to hold everyone. But the pastor encouraged her that one day they would raise funds and build a larger church. Shortly thereafter, Hattie died. And her mother presented the pastor with 57 cents that Hattie had saved for the building fund. She was from a poor family and yet she had scraped together this offering that she might be able to contribute.
And contribute she did. The story and the 57 cents raised $250 which bought a larger building for the church. A committee in her name and the results from the efforts brought about Baptist Temple Church, Temple University, and Samaritan Hospital now known as Temple University Hospital. Who can count the thousands upon thousands of people who have been influenced by the little girl's "mite?"
What do we think of our own influence? What is our purpose? What are we sent here to accomplish? How will we wear our uniqueness? Will we be as beautiful in our accomplishments as each individual snowflake? Pauper or princess. We all have an ability to make big things happen with small efforts. Will you?
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