Undaunted
I can do everything through him who
gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
J.J. smiled as she watched Jim approach
her teller window using a walker. She smiled because Jim’s
‘never-give-up-or-in’ attitude blessed her, and spoke volumes
about the man. His perseverance silently encouraged everyone that
knew him. He helped keep their perspective focused on things that
mattered.
“Morning, J.J.!” he greeted. “How
are you doing this fine morning?”
“Just wonderful Mr.Gault. And how are
you?” she asked.
“I couldn’t be better if I was
twins!” he replied jovially.
Born with polio, Jim had determined at
a young age that he would not be defined by his disease. He’d
graduated Valedictorian of a senior class of more than 300 students,
and gone on to receive a bachelors, masters, and graduate degree from
the Ohio State University. Since then it seemed as though everything
he put his hand to had prospered. Many credited Jim’s success to a
‘Midas Touch’ of sorts. The truth was Jim worked harder than
everyone else. For most of his life Jim had been the first to arrive
and the last to leave the office. He was a dedicated man.
J.J. smiled at his ‘twins’ comment
and said, “I’m not sure the world could take two of you anyway,
Sir.”
He laughed, finished his banking
business, and headed for one of the bank’s offices. He stopped in
front of the door marked ‘CEO’. But instead of knocking, Jim
opened the door, shuffled his way to the desk, and took his usual
position…behind the desk.
Thirty years ago, Jim, recognized the
need for a family-oriented, full-service bank. Undaunted by the
challenges such an undertaking presented, Jim founded the credit
union, and has never missed a day of work.
†
We have a choice as far as life is
concerned. We can either play the hand we’ve been dealt, or we can
sit on the sidelines, moping about how bad we’ve got it. It’s
kinda hard to do the latter with people like Jim as an example.
If we refuse to be undaunted by
whatever hurdles or obstacles we face, we will be amazed at where we
find ourselves twenty years down the road. No matter how bad you
think you’ve got it, God can and will give you the strength to
carry on.
Prayer
“Give me strength, Lord!
Then lead…and I’ll follow! Amen.”
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