Missing an opportunity unintentionally happens all the time. But squandering one intentionally? Well, that’s another thing.
As valedictorian of the San Ysidro High School class of 2019, senior Nataly Buhr squandered one such moment. In fact, she steamrolled it.
Chosen to represent her class as valedictorian, Buhr began her three-minute speech in the usual fashion, thanking her classmates and then thanking specific teachers and administrators by name. Nothing too unusual.
But then, without pausing the flow, she pivoted, departed from the preapproved script, and began masking insults with “thanks.” Here’s a taste.
To her counselor: “Thanks for teaching me to fend for myself: You were always unavailable to my parents and I, despite appointments.”
To the main office staff: “Thank you for teaching me how to be resourceful. Your negligence to inform me of several scholarships until the day before they were due potentially caused me to miss out on thousands of dollars.”
And then, “To the teacher who was regularly intoxicated during class this year,” she said, “thank you for using yourself as an example to teach students about the dangers of alcoholism. Being escorted by police out of school left a lasting impression.”
Buhr concluded, “I hope that future students and staff learn from these examples.”
Not surprisingly, the administration, especially those who had preapproved the original speech, were not amused. One official said flatly, it was “inappropriate.”
But Buhr stands by her speech and her mother stands by her daughter. Buhr’s mother, Monica Serratos, said she was “proud” of her daughter. “Hopefully it opens their eyes,” Serratos said.
Well, maybe. But personally, I hope someone takes time to open Buhr’s eyes to the opportunity that she squandered. It will never come again.
Life is a steady stream of opportunities, chances to make an impact. And with each one we decide what impact we will have—if any at all. Leaders, especially, look for such moments. But when Buhr had a chance to inspire the crowd with encouragement and overlook slights and mistreatments, to demonstrate maturity, leadership, and grace, she chose to spend her few precious minutes dispensing vitriol and bitterness.
What would you do if presented with a moment to inspire or diminish, comfort or wound, forgive or retaliate? For all people, life rushes by (James 4:14), and few people pay attention to such opportunities, or recognize them when they appear. But Christians are not only expected to recognize those moments but also to honor them, to seize them, as chances God gives us to make a difference (Eph. 5:16).
It doesn’t have to be a big stage, a speech in front of dozens. It can be a small conversation with your child, as you hold her tight and remind her that tomorrow will be okay, that this pain will pass, that she can make new friends.
Or it might be that person at work that manages to ignite your carnality with each mean-spirited jab at your errors and flaws. Forgive or retaliate? Be gracious or bitter?
Or it could indeed be that rare chance to rally others to a cause, to face challenges and celebrate victories, to lead, to inspire, to help people grow, to impart hope and motivate excellence.
When your moment comes, what will you choose to do?
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Ps. 90:12).