“Missed It By That Much”

Share Now

Get Smart was a whimsical spy show that aired from 1965 to 1970. Inept Agent 86, otherwise known as Maxwell Smart (who wasn’t), and his partner Agent 99 (who was smart) worked as spies for CONTROL in Washington, D.C., and fought against their evil enemy KAOS. Some of you may have seen Don Adams in his role as Agent 86 on some nostalgic cable channel or you may have heard his voice when he played the cartoon detective, Inspector Gadget.

Two of Smart’s sayings became part of popular culture in the late 60s. He said both in response to his own blunderings. After explaining an obvious goof, he made up better-case scenarios, beginning with, “Would you believe . . . .?” Of course, no one ever did. And, to justify himself when he came out not quite close enough in his work, he tried to soften the blame by saying, “Missed it by that much.”

Describing my personality when I was a very small child, Mother told me, “You didn’t want to miss anything.” I still don’t.

I’ve written before about something Ray’s daddy used to say: “Never pass up an opportunity to say thank you or go to the bathroom.” To those two wise pieces of advice, I would add a few others.

• Never pass up an opportunity to kiss your husband goodbye and hello and goodnight.
• Never pass up an opportunity to smile at your child.
• Never pass up an opportunity to listen to a crying child — or friend.
• Never pass up an opportunity to share a holiday with loved ones.
• Never pass up an opportunity to visit the generations older than yours.

My list could go on and on, and I know that you, too, could add many other encouragements to it; but my point is this: Life is too precious to look back with regret and realize in sorrow: “I missed it by that much.”

So then, while we have opportunity,
let us do good to all people,
and especially to those
who are of the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:10

Share Now