53 years ago, I went to work for a man who was not a Christian, but who did have a good moral compass. I worked for him for 10 years. I still have great respect for him.
When it came to work ethic, he pounded some already existing principles firmly into place in me. Being the son of my Dad, I never had any misgivings about my responsibility to work for my pay and to give an honest day’s work as an opportunity (not a right) for fair pay.
My boss was truly a self-made man. He never had a nickel passed to him by anything other than his investment in hard labor. He was the hardest working man I will ever have known regardless of how long I live and how many men I meet. He also had the street smarts to be careful with his income.
He now owns several thousand acres of land with producing oil wells all over that land. Some say he got lucky. I know better. He worked hard and was smart with his money.
He spent a lot of time talking to me as a young man about attitude and doing what others say is impossible. More than just telling me, he showed me.
Many times, I would hear him respond to someone who was declaring they, “can’t do” this or that. He would say (with many choice words laced throughout for emphasis) that, “Can’t hasn’t ever done anything, can’t isn’t doing anything right now, and can’t won’t ever do anything because can’t can’t do anything.”
Think About it…
As I’ve gotten older, I continue to apply that principle in frequent seasons of my life. Right now, recovering from having both knees replaced, is another such season.
I CAN lift my legs. I CAN stand up. I CAN walk. I CAN fully recover. I CAN smile through pain. Etc.
Best of all, is the application of scriptural instruction through times like these.
Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Matthew 19:26, “…with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
You can do this thing that is in front of you too.
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