October 23, 2014
The company where my husband has worked for over a decade planned a “retirement” dinner for him tonight. It was a delightful evening at a wonderful restaurant and almost all the employees were there with their spouses or dates. Toward the end of the evening I was pleased to hear some complimentary and affirming things about my husband - the depth of his knowledge of the industry, his ability to teach others, his caring ways of encouraging people and helping them do things.
Also, a little history. My husband began working at this company as it was just opening a facility in the area. It started out with a bare-bones staff, basically of three. So as the facility has grown, the owner recognized, and commented tonight, about how my husband has contributed to its present success by saying how he cares for the company and the customer, making his best effort to do a good job for both! I happen to know that’s just the way he is and who he is.
And yes, I’m very proud of him! His co-workers only stated things I’ve known about him for years and that help me love him. I am just so glad that others see it, too, and took the time tonight to tell him how he has had an impact on their lives.
One of the things, however, that the owner said stuck with me. This wasn’t about my husband, particularly, but he was talking about the company’s values and mission. He said, “Lots of people do what we do. In fact, anyone can really do what we do. What makes us different is how we do it.” Then he went on to talk about the importance of having a good reputation for doing things the right way, taking care of detail and doing the best for the customer, etc.
It made me think about a congregation. Any group of people can be the “church” as we worship, learn, pray, and serve together. What makes one congregation different from another is how we do those things. Not the kind of music, the style of preaching, the depth of the studies, or the scope of the serving, but how we do those things out of love. Do we put the “company” and the “customer” first? In other words, do we love God with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves...and live it?
Blessings.
A very deserving tribute to your husband from his former employment and his loving wife! I'm sure a proud and emotional time for him!
ReplyDeleteAs for the people of a congregation, I think we seriously try to get it right although it doesn't always happen that way. Thanksgiving to our good and gracious God for forgiveness and second chances!