I can usually tell which daughter has used my computer by the stuff they leave behind. I find shoes underneath the desk, coats and purses on the chair and their doodles on my post-it notes. They certainly leave their mark, and there’s no need to dust for fingerprints to see who has been on my computer.

One person whose prints would be impossible to detect is quadriplegic Joni Eareckson Tada. After being nominated to serve on a National Committee, she had to undergo an investigation which included being fingerprinted, a task that the agent found impossible to complete. Confused, she asked if this was a common problem. He explained that the only people without prints are people who never use their hands. He went on to add that carpenters, bricklayers, typists, homemakers, and anyone else who uses their hands a lot would have good prints. A person without fingerprints leaves no marks, no prints, and no evidence of where they have been. And a person who is lazy and doesn’t use the gifts that God has placed in them will not leave any marks in this life.

Although she could not use her hands, Tada became an artist by learning how to hold a brush between her teeth to paint. In addition, she is a Christian author and speaker. She uses what she has to not just leave her mark, but to point people to Jesus.

When we use what we have, our God-given talents and abilities, we are able to bless and serve other, leaving behind evidence that points to Jesus.

The New Year, 2010, will be filled with many opportunities for us to us our abilities to serve God and others. May we live up to our full potential and not waste one single moment of the brand new year.

Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.