Make a Wish

Zoom! A shooting star zips across the sky. Make a wish!

Whoosh! We blow out the candles on our birthday cake. Make a wish!

Splash! Our penny sinks to the bottom of the fountain. Make a wish!

Every time I find myself wishing for something, I think about a few wise words that my grandpa always shared with me as a kid, “Wish in one hand. Spit in the other. We’ll see which one gets fuller faster.”

Wishing is easy, but it will not get you where you want to go. Working is hard, but the reward makes it worthwhile. I have been reminded time and time again that if I really want something, wishing for it is not enough; I’m going to have to work for it.

I just assumed I would be one of the starting five my senior year in basketball.  The first game of the season came around and guess who was on the bench for the tip off.  It was #25, senior guard, Trenton Smedley.  I didn’t make the cut and I was bitter.  But, thanks to Grandpa, I knew that I was going to have to work hard to make my wish of starting a reality.  From then on, I showed up to practice ready to work.  I didn’t complain about my circumstances, I just simply put forth my best effort as a basketball player and as a team leader.  After just a couple more games, I was in that starting line up—not because I wished for it, but because I worked for it.  Wishing is easy; working is hard.  Wishing gets you nowhere; working gets you where want to go.

We ALL make wishes.  We  might be wishing that we get a 4.0 GPA this semester, win the district agronomy contest, get a pay raise at our job or purchase that shiny pickup that’s for sale.  There’s nothing wrong with wishing for it, but don’t be disappointed if all you do is wish and your wish doesn’t come true.  That is not how it works.  If you want something, you have to work for it; you have to earn it.  Working is hard, but it is worth it.

I hope that all your wishes come true!

Living To Serve,

Trenton Smedley