There is a story in the Old Testament about a small city that was being attacked by a powerful king.  It is told that in that city was a “poor wise man.”   The story ends up telling that this poor wise man delivered the city by his wisdom.  The man is not named, nor is it explained how he saved the city.  See Eccl. 9:15, 16.  But the author, most likely Solomon, used that story to argue that “wisdom is better than strength” and that “the words of a wise man are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”  Does this not apply as much today as it did almost 3000 years ago?  Unheralded people end up doing amazing things that barely warrant a footnote in the history books. 

There are many ways to think about this story.  One way is to ask the question, how do we recognize the people among us who quietly live their lives in service to others and often do great things?  Are they appreciated the way they should be?  

There is another story in Acts that tells of the death of a woman, Tabitha, who spent much of her life doing good works.  She died and those that knew and loved her were mourning.  They heard that Peter was nearby and so they summoned him.  When he came, he raised her from the dead. 

I mention this story because it is another example of someone who quietly lived her life in service to others, but was largely unknown except for her circle of acquaintances. 

I recently attended a funeral in Monroe for a beloved piano teacher of more than sixty years.  Like Tabitha, she spent her life in service to others; her family, her students and her church.  From the numbers in attendance, it was obvious that she touched hundreds of lives with her love.  Yet, except for her family, many were unaware of the extent of her unselfish service.  She just quietly and humbly worked to benefit others. 

Knowing this person, she would never have described herself as special, although she was.  Perhaps the same could be said of the “poor wise man” or Tabitha.  The question is, do we see and appreciate the good in those around us while they are with us?   Equally important, do we recognize our own capacity for good and selfless living?

The question we can each ask of ourselves each day is, “what do [we] plan to do with [our] one wild and previous life?”  Mary Oliver

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Charles Wellington is a lifelong student of the teachings of Christ Jesus and regularly meditates with the Great Plains Zen Center in Monroe.