How many of these questions can you get right?
Who are the five wealthiest people in the world today?
Who are the last five winners of the Nobel Peace Prize?
Who are the last five winners of the Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress?
Who are the last five winners of the Super Bowl MVP?
Who are the last five winners of the Miss Universe Pageant?
Cartoonist Charles Schulz of Peanuts fame routinely asked people to take a shot at such questions.
The results were predictable. It is almost impossible to come up with the names of yesterday’s headliners. Hollywood alone has at least 300 annual awards shows – one for almost every day of the year. But such honors, along with their accompanying applause, quickly come and go.
The names and faces of the rich, famous, and talented speedily fade from memory.
Schulz would typically ask a second set of questions. Try this quiz:
Who are five teachers who made a positive impact on your life?
Who are five friends who have helped you through a difficult time?
Who are five people who have given you a compliment you have never forgotten?
Who are five people who have taught you something worthwhile?
Who are five people you could call at 3 am if you needed to talk to someone?
Most of us find the second set of questions considerably easier.
Who are the people God uses to change our lives? They usually aren’t presidents or Pulitzer Prize winners. Our minds are shaped and our hearts are formed by those who love us even when we screw up – who mentor us and walk with us, especially when we have lost our courage or lost our way.
Before the end of this holiday weekend, take time to say thank-you to at least one of those heroes in your life.
The odds are good they will cherish your word of appreciation even more than a trophy with their name engraved on it.