Some Things are More Important
Do your daily choices reflect your values?
Years ago when I was church planting, I worked a lot of different jobs to support my family and our ministry. One of those jobs was selling tree trimming services door-to-door. It’s one of those jobs where you spend a lot of time walking, thinking, and praying that you can get some sales to make ends meet. On this particular day, God had a big lesson for me.
It was an unusually humid summer day in the Pacific Northwest. Six hours of walking door-to-door and I hadn’t made a single sale.
“God. I need to make some money!”
Anxious to give my final sales pitch of the day, I walked down the long driveway hoping there was no dogs and praying that I could pull the day out of the dumpster with one good lead. The door was open, so I knocked on the old brown screen door.
The door creaked under the weight of my knock and from somewhere in the dimly lit interior emerged an old man shuffling to the door. In a frail voice he asked, “who are you?”
“My name is Joe, how are you today sir?”
“Not so good.” he said with a surprising honesty. “My wife of 70 years just died on August 8th. We celebrated our 70th anniversary a month ago on July 8th.”
The man suddenly seemed older and more tired then when he first appeared.
“I am sorry to hear of your loss.”
The man asked, “What are you selling?”
I had a sudden and keen awareness that what I was selling had no meaning compared to the loss and grief this man was experiencing. “Nothing of importance, sir.” I paused for a moment and added, “May I pray for you instead?”
“Yes, please come in.”
The old man seemed glad for the company and walked with a bit more energy as he led me into his small but inviting living room. He sat down in an old leather recliner with a crochet blanked draped over the back. I took a seat just a few feet away on an old wood chair that creaked more than it should have when I sat.
Gene was a kindly gentleman. He talked about his wife, his kids and how his life had changed since the death of his beloved wife. More than once, Gene’s eyes filled with tears as he looked off into the distance at nothing and wondered aloud how he could possibly move on without Helen.
The sun was setting and I needed to get back to my sales partner Tim who’d been waiting outside for me so he could go home. “I need to go now Gene, but can I pray with you now?” Gene gladly accepted.
I walked to his chair and took his cold hand in mine. I uttered what few words came to mind… words of healing… words of hope… words of Jesus’ love for Gene and his departed wife Helen.
My conversation with Gene reminded me, there are things in life far more important than setting one more lead and earning a few more dollars. I didn’t make a sale but I was thankful to go home and hug my wife and kids.
What do you value most in life?
Do your daily choices reflect your values?