A newspaper columnist, commenting on the fact that her husband had strong views about certain social functions, said, “Having seen a lot of these events during the past seven years, he is some- thing of an accidental expert.”

    An accidental expert.  I like that turn of phrase.  And I like the thought which it suggests.  We may not set out to become experts in some area of life, but circumstances keep repeating themselves, so we become experts by accident.

    There are some people I know who have had so many health problems over the years, that they have become accidental experts in the area of sickness and disease.  This is not something they would have chosen.  But life seemed to work that way for them.

    Some have been married for many years, and since marriage is full of stresses and ups and downs, they have become accidental experts in negotiating the tricky waters of matrimonial bliss.  They didn’t set out to become experts.  It just happened in the course of their marriage.

    Some have suffered many reverses in life.  Their lives have been full of lost jobs, financial hardships, strained relationships, shattered dreams.  But by keeping on keeping on, they have become accidental experts in how to survive in the face of adversity.

    Now the point of this whole thing is that when we become accidental experts, we can then share with others out of our experience and insights.  The newspaper columnist said her husband had drawn up a list of what he felt was needed to have a successful social function.  He felt qualified to do this because he had so much experience in the field.

    I think we waste much of the experience God sends our way.  We muddle through, and when we come out on the other side, we tend to simply forget about the experience.  But there are others who are coming behind us who need guidance.  We have a responsibility to meet, and an opportunity to grasp, if we are to be faithful stewards of life.

    No one likes unsolicited advice.  But we all need and appreciate good examples.  If you have become an accidental expert, determine to be the best expert you can be.  Someone watching you may ask for help and insights.  If they do, share out of your abundance, and thank God for the privilege.