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Men of Integrity, Nov/Dec 2001
Mind Altering Words
Theme for the Week: Vote of Confidence
Thursday, November 8
Key Bible Verse: Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty (Proverbs 25:25).
Bonus Reading: 1 Chronicles 12:16-18,23, 38-40
I suddenly had to take the reins of the company after my father's death. Its position was precarious. Our eggs of just over $1 million in sales were mostly in one basket—a company in St. Louis that made furnaces for mobile homes. Dad had a good relationship with them, but I'd just come on board, and this customer hardly knew me. Faced with my father's passing, they had every justification for finding another supplier.
The call from their engineering director caught me by surprise. "John," said Bernie, "I want to say how sorry we were to hear about your dad's passing. We grew very close, and I looked at him almost as my own father."
I swallowed hard, knowing that as much as they appreciated Dad, they had a tough decision to make. I doubted we could sustain the loss of their business.
Bernie continued: "I know you must be concerned about our future burner purchases. I want to assure you of our complete confidence in you. We'll continue buying your products. There'll be no change from our standpoint."
As the words sank in, it was as though a thousand-pound weigh lifted from my shoulders.
—John Beckett in Loving Monday
My Response:
My "vote of confidence" could provide a pick-me-up for _____.
Thought to Apply:
Advances are made by those with at least a touch of irrational confidence in what they can do.
—Joan Curcio (educator)
Adapted from: Loving Monday (InterVarsity, 1998).
For your convenience, Loving Monday is available in the ChristianityToday.com bookstore.
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
November/December 2001, Vol. 4, No. 6
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Prayer for the Week |
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Lord, move me beyond preoccupation with myself to affirming and bolstering others.
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