Ray Bolger was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1904.

Ray Bolger, the son of a housepainter, began his career as a song-and-dance man in Vaudeville back in the early 1930s. He brought his act to Broadway and eventually began making movies in 1936. Over the years he became known for his “rubbery” dancing style, which made him a natural when it came time to cast The Wizard of Oz. But Bolger at first refused the role assigned him—the Tin Man. Bolger said the part was too limiting for his talents, and thankfully, the directors agreed. Ray Bolger went on to make movie history as the endearing Scarecrow—a role that he became closely identified with in his lifetime.

As the Scarecrow, Bolger’s performance was unforgettable. We laughed at his clumsiness as he fell over himself trying to help Dorothy and the others. Our hearts were won over by his great concern for Dorothy’s situation and his cleverness in rescuing her from the Wicked Witch. Yet the Scarecrow believed, “I’m a failure because I haven’t got a brain.”

Sometimes we can fall into that same trap—believing that we are a failure because we aren’t smart enough, or fast enough, or tall enough, or whatever. But the truth is that God has created you and me exactly the way he planned from the very beginning of time. He has given us unique abilities and gifts to use for his work. So think about it. Are you like the Scarecrow, thinking you lack something that you already have? Ask God to help you see the unique gifts he has given to you.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well (Psalm 139:14, New International Version).

To do

Ask one or two people who know you well (a parent, a teacher, or friend) to write down three things they admire most about you. How do their lists match with what you would write?

Also on this day . . .

Volunteer Fireman’s Day

1863—The first underground passenger railway system opened in London.

1928—Children’s author Maurice Sendak was born.

1951—Donald Howard Rogers piloted the first passenger jet on a trip from Chicago to New York.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.