Think a minute…Years ago many prejudiced white southerners in America treated black, African Americans in cruel, evil ways. Yet there were also some southern whites who were kind and caring to black people. One of these was the Chisholm family in Laurel, Mississippi. Their housekeeper named Everlina had been with them for 45 years and was more than just an employee, she was part of the family. This included Everlina’s young niece who played with the Chisholm daughters.
One day Everlina’s niece said that she dreamed of getting a good education and learning the social skills of a lady in society. Mrs. Chisholm immediately took this little black girl under her wing, gently guiding her in proper social manners and confidence to face the world with dignity and self-respect. Mrs. Chisholm became like a second mother to this young girl so she could learn that the color of her skin should never stop her from becoming all she wanted to be.
During school holidays the young girl would come to help her Aunt Everlina work in the Chisholm house. As this young girl worked throughout the house she sang. In fact, she sang so well that Mrs. Chisholm, a trained musician, immediately recognized how naturally talented this little girl was. The girl had been listening to professional singers on the radio, dreaming of someday becoming a singer herself.
Mrs. Chisholm dedicated herself to helping this young girl reach her potential. She even paid for the girl’s university education to study voice at the famous Julliard School in New York City. Then, the dream of that young girl who worked as a maid in Mississippi actually did come true. She became a famous opera singer known as the Queen of the Metropolitan Opera: Leontyne Price. In fact, she was the first African American to become a leading performer at the Metropolitan Opera, and one of the most popular American classical singers of her generation. She received many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States.
Maybe you were not made to sing, but you were definitely made to succeed at what you do best in life. You were also made to help others discover what they do best. If you want to discover why you were born, simply ask your Creator to take full charge of your life. Jesus will daily guide and help you with His power to overcome whatever you face in order to reach your full potential He gave you. Just think a minute…