I can't believe I forgot. But I totally did. A very dear friend's birthday was June 2nd and I always, for the past - oh my! nearly 50 years! could that be right? - sent him a birthday card. I also send a Christmas card, and he always sent me one. But the past couple of years I have heard nothing from him. No notes, no cards. I wondered if he had passed on. I googled his name, and found nothing. I tried dex-online and still nothing. I let his birthday go without sending a card, but I had to know. So I wrote his son, whom I had also worked with, and he lived with his dad. The son emailed me last week that his dad had just turned 97, was still alive, and was always saying "only the good die young". I got his telephone number and said I'd call on Saturday around noon their time - 9AM our time.
I totally forgot. I did not think of it at all until yesterday morning as I was starting to sign on my work computer - and then I remembered. I sent a quick email and asked if I could call at noon Monday. No response. At 9AM our time I decided to just call anyway. Sure enough, he was eating lunch but his son said that he knew his dad would love to talk with me. So we talked about 10 minutes and it was so fun. Granted, we didn't have much to talk about; he did ask about each of my children as he knew of each one. I also asked about his children. I kept the call brief and told him I will make a note to call him every few weeks just to touch base. And wished him a happy belated birthday.
Why is this man so important to me? I met him in January 1975 when I went to work at Peachtree Fabrics Inc. in the customer service department. My youngest had been born October 1974 and I needed to go to work. After about 3 months, the bookkeeper was fired and they needed a new one. For some reason, the president of the this very small company (it had only been open a very few months) thought I had potential. He and the vice president approached and asked if I would be interested. I had no confidence in myself and didn't think I could. But this president of this company thought I had potential. He asked me to take the position and he and our CPA would train me.
So I did. I caught on quickly and soon I exceeded my own expectations. It didn't take long and I was doing payroll for the office and the sales people, figuring commissions, writing checks, approving credit orders, processing orders, payments.... and a lot of other things. I was added as secretary of the corporation. Everything I did 'way back when' was completed by hand. I kept all the books manually. I wrote all the checks manually. I posted charges and payments on a Burroughs machine. About 5-6 years later we got this huge contraption called a computer. I ran the 'computer department' in addition to bookkeeping as it was kept in my room. I loved that job. The CPA and I would challenge each other every month that we met to go over the books.... we'd see who could tally up on the calculator all the numbers the fastest - and I loved to beat him!
I tell you all this because that is part of my life. This man that I called yesterday morning was the one who believed in me and gave me confidence in myself. He took the time to say 'you can do it, I believe in you'. He invested his time in me to make sure I understood the importance of the job and how to do it the right way. I was sad when he left the company and moved on, but we have always kept in touch. I remember making him a pistachio cake one year for his birthday because he loved pistachios. His son, who is now 65, worked in the warehouse a few summers so I became acquainted with him as well. I still have a cheese plate that he gave me one year for my birthday. On the wooden plate he had placed a piece of wax in the shape of cheese and put a small ceramic mouse in it. A glass dome covers the dish. I haven't used it often... but I still have that dish - minus the 'cheese' and mouse.
Who do you have in your life (or have had) who believed in you? Who took the time to value you? Perhaps it is a friend who encouraged you when you were down. Perhaps it is your spouse who told you often how treasured you are. Perhaps it is your child who makes you feel so blessed just because they look up to you. Perhaps it is a boss who saw value in your and taught you all you know about that area of expertise. Have you taken the time to let them know how much you appreciate their value, their trust, in you and in your abilities?
Over the years I have often told my former boss of how much I treasure the lessons I learned from him. I gained internal value because someone believed I could do something different.
It's like Thomas the train engine..... I think I can, I think I can..... and wasn't afraid to try. And he made it over the mountain.
Perhaps you can't think of anyone who has made you feel valued as I did. But you know what, YOU can be that person to someone else. You can be that person to your spouse. You can be that person to your child. You can be that person to a friend. Think about it. How can you (possibly) step out of your comfort zone and give a word of encouragement and hope to someone today? Tell them "I believe in you. I will walk with you in this journey. I will help you over the tough times. I will be here for you."
Sounds a bit like our Lord, doesn't it? Jesus is always telling you that He believes in you. He will walk with you in this journey of life, regardless of where it leads you. He will give you the wisdom you need to complete that task. He will encourage you to succeed and do even better than you did the day before. He will pick you up when you fall, brush you off, and set your feet on solid ground - if you will let Him. He is always here for you. And when you are a follower of Jesus, one of our goals is to be like Him.
Stop right now and think about someone who could use some encouragement in their day. Grab a piece of paper and write them a note to encourage them. Pick up the phone an call (or text) them that you are thankful for them.
Believe in yourself, for our God does not make junk. You have value, and a high price was paid for you. Jesus gave His life up for you, and for me. He loves and treasures and values us - loves and treasures and values YOU so much, He chose to take all our sins and nail them to the cross. His body was beaten and scarred, His blood flowed, because He loves you so much. Thank Him.
There is no greater love, than what Jesus displayed for us. And we are to show that love to others. Tell someone today they have value.
Begin with yourself.
Blessings!
No comments:
Post a Comment