Blog Archives

Grace Under Pressure

4/28/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

A few years ago my wife and I had been attending a church for about six months and we decided to transfer our membership. After attending the new member’s class we were ready to join. A chaplain colleague and his wife attended the same church and they agreed to be our sponsors and stand up with us on that Sunday.

After the service he suggested that we go out for breakfast and, after some debate about who would pay, he made it clear that it was his treat. So off we went to a popular restaurant a short distance away, and after a brief wait, were escorted to a large round booth in the back. We settled in, studied the menu, and unanimously opted for the scrumptious breakfast entrees. Then we began discussing what was going on in our lives and with our families.

We were getting hungrier by the minute and a little impatient when we spied the waiter coming toward us with a rather large tray balanced on one hand and his portable tray table in the other. I am always amazed at how the wait staff handles large orders in a busy restaurant. They either have big trays or plates lined up and down their arm. I was happy my dishes were on a tray.

As he was maneuvering the table with his left hand to get it in position for accepting the large tray, his body slightly twisted. When he did this, his right hand tilted forward just a bit. He tried to correct the tilt but that is nearly impossible with such a heavy load. Suddenly everything appeared to move in slow motion. I saw the tray tip in my direction. Then it hit. All four breakfast orders came sliding off the tray and into my chest and lap. Keep in mind we are talking about eggs, grits, pancakes, waffles, and all that goes with them. My blue blazer was folded on the seat beside me but it did not escape the onslaught of food. I could only sit and accept my fate.

I looked up and very calmly said, “Like I told you, Danny, breakfast is on me!” It seemed that everyone around breathed a little sigh of relief as they laughed nervously.

© 2008, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 6 (2008).

Following in Her Footsteps

4/23/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

A physician was taking her four-year-old daughter to preschool. On the drive over, the doctor noticed the little girl had begun playing with her stethoscope, which she had left on the car seat.

Be still, my heart, thought the doctor. My daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!

Then the child spoke into the instrument: “Welcome to McDonald’s. May I take your order?”

Who knows? Maybe the little darling did one day become a doctor. We all would like to think that we have influence for good in the lives of others. Sometimes we see the results immediately, but most of the time we are not privileged to see the final outcome. We must focus on doing the best we can, and most likely the positive effects will follow.

© 2008, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 6 (2008).

The Battle of the Beetles

4/22/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

On the slope of Long’s Peak in Colorado lies the ruin of a gigantic tree. Naturalists tell us that it stood for some four hundred years. It was a seedling when Columbus landed at San Salvador, and half grown when the pilgrims settled at Plymouth. During the course of its long life it was struck by lightning fourteen times and the innumerable avalanches and storms of four centuries thundered past it. It survived them all. In the end, however, an army of beetles attacked the tree and leveled it to the ground. The insects ate their way through the bark and gradually destroyed the inner strength of the tree by their tiny but incessant attacks. A forest giant which age had not withered, nor lightning blasted, nor storms subdued, fell at last before beetles so small that a man could crush them between his forefinger and his thumb.

There is a parallel in this story which should serve as a warning to us. Most of us can survive time of crisis. We summon the strength of faith or resolve for most any battle that we face head on. Whether it is in our professional or personal lives, we often overcome great obstacles. It is the small things that eat us from the inside, which often bring about our downfall. Unlike a giant tree, we can fight those moral or ethical “beetles.” We must, however, be on guard.

Author: Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 6 (2008).

A Man of Interest

4/18/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

A man walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Italy on business for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000 and that he was not a depositor of the bank.

The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the man handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank. The man produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest.

Later, the bank's president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the man for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parked it.

Two weeks later, the man returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"

The man replied: "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?"

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 6 (2008).

Campaign Promises

4/17/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

"One day a US senator is struck by lightning and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. "Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity." "Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator. "I'm sorry, but we have our rules," replied St. Peter.

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. "Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell." So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?" The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning. ... Today you voted!"

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Who Says God Doesn't Answer Prayer?

4/14/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.

That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went "boing!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air-out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"

She replied, "You won't believe this," and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it."

She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her."

Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor.

Grace Drops in Action

4/11/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Motivated by a speaker at a grocery store chain on customer loyalty, a 19 year old bagger with Down’s Syndrome took the message to heart. He was told, “Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to come back. Put your signature on your job.” And so he did.

Johnny, the bagger, went home every night after work and found a “Thought for the Day.” If he couldn’t find a saying he liked, he would just make one up. When Johnny found a good Thought for the Day, his Dad helped him set it up on the computer and print multiple copies. Johnny would cut out each quote and sign the back and then take them to work the next day.

“When I finish bagging someone’s groceries, I put my Thought for the Day in their bag and say, ‘Thanks for shopping with us.’”

Here was a young man who, though with a job that most people would say is not important, had made it important by creating precious memories for all his customers. In just over a month the store manager reported incredible changes.

“When I was making my rounds today, I found Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than anyone else’s! It went all the way down the frozen food aisle. So I quickly announced, ‘We need more cashiers; get more lanes open!’ as I tried to get people to change lanes. But no one wanted to move. They said ‘No, it’s okay—we want to be in Johnny’s lane—we want his Thought for the Day.’”

The store manager continued, “It was a joy to watch Johnny delight his customers.”

One woman said, “I used to shop at your store once a week, but now I come in every time I go by, because I want to get Johnny’s Thought for the Day.”

A few months later the store manager reported that the whole store had been transformed. Now when the floral department has a broken flower or an unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them. Everyone’s having a lot of fun creating memories—our customers are talking about us—they’re coming back and bringing their friends.

A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the store . . . and all because Johnny chose to make a difference.

Told by Barbara Glanz. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Four Candles

4/8/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

The ambience was so soft one could almost hear the talking. The first candle said, “I am Peace. The world is full on anger and fighting. Nobody can keep me lit.” Then the flame of Peace went out completely.

The second candle said, “I am Faith. I am no longer indispensable. It doesn’t make sense that I stay lit another moment.” Just then a breeze softly blew out Faith’s flame.

Sadly, the third candle said, “I am Love. People don’t understand my importance, so they simply put me aside. Then they forget to love those nearest to them. I haven’t the strength to stay lit.” And waiting no longer, Love’s flame went out.

Suddenly, a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. “Why aren’t you burning? You’re supposed to stay lit until the end.” Saying this, the child began to cry.

Then, the fourth candle said, “Don’t be afraid, I am Hope. We can relight the other three candles.” With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope and relit the other candles.

The flame of Hope should never go out from your life. And with Hope, each of us can live a life with Peace, Faith and Love.

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Sanity

4/6/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

It doesn't hurt to take a hard look at yourself from time to time, and this should help get you started:

During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what the criterion was which defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.

"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."

"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."

"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).

Ever Have One of Those Days?

4/3/2014

© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.

Sometimes we start out with the best of intentions and then things just don’t go the way we planned. It’s like the letter the bricklayer wrote to his boss requesting sick leave:

“I arrived at the job after the storm, checked the building out and saw that the top needed repairs. I rigged a hoist and boom, attached the rope to a barrel and pulled bricks to the top.

When I pulled the barrel to the top, I secured the rope at the bottom. After repairing the building, I went back to fill the barrel with the leftover bricks. I went down and released the rope to lower the bricks, and the barrel, which was heavier than I am, jerked me off the ground.

I decided to hang on. Halfway up, I met the barrel coming down and received a blow to the shoulder. I hung on and went to the top, where I hit my head on the boom and caught my fingers in the pulley.

In the meantime, the barrel hit the ground and burst open, throwing bricks all over. This made the barrel lighter than I, and I started down at high speed. Halfway down I met the barrel coming up and received a blow to my shins. I continued down and fell on the bricks, receiving cuts and bruises. At this point I must have lost my presence of mind, because I let go of the rope and the barrel came down and hit me on the head. I respectfully request sick leave.”

I’m sure we all have empathy for this diligent worker. Some days are like that. I’ve heard people say that they are at the end of their rope. We find that often the only answer we can find is just to “tie a knot in the end and hang on.”

Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume 5 (2007).