“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

– Matthew [9:10]-11

WHOSE TRIBE SHOULD WE BELONG TO?

At the end of a long hike, my wife Connie, and I visited a waterfall. Our treat for completing our trek. As I sat down, I placed my backpack next to me and began to pull out an apple for hard earned nourishment. Much to my surprise, I was immediately surrounded by a swarm of Yellow Jackets. I took my hat off to defend myself, but there were too many and both myself and Connie were stung. It was an angry mob of bees and I received at least five stings. We scurried away, wondering what we had done to cause such a stir. Later upon reflection, I concluded that I had unwittingly placed my back pack on the hole above their underground nest.

The bees were just doing what their instincts told them to do, they don’t have the mental ability to parcel out in their mind, real danger or an innocent person. They are programmed to just attack. It is what bees do when they perceive a threat. They have a button that goes off and they respond.

I also find this today with our politics, economic theories and social groupings. We form around like people and begin to say like things. Over time we morph into a collective group or tribe that no longer accepts outside input and attacks when new input arrives. Sometimes the attacks are worse than the fury of wronged bees.

When we hear something different than what we think, should we be like an angry mob of bees and automatically hit our pre-recorded responses in reply? Should we stop to think about the other person’s perspective and how they arrived at their opinion, even if It is different and threatening? The more comfort we have in the power of our group, the more resistant we are to new thoughts. New ideas are not welcome.

In the first century, the Pharisees were a group in charge and full of power. Over time that had twisted the ten commandments to support their beliefs and legalistically lorded themselves over the average Judean. Any attempt to have a different view point turned them into an angry mob, like my bees. They stung and they hurt.

When Jesus arrived, he did not choose any group to belong to, he chose all humankind, even the poor and the lowly tax collector. Jesus wasn’t about to join any tribe, he wanted to be near all and hear every story, even those called by the Pharisees, as sinners! Whose only crime may have been to have a different opinion.

Bees and tribes can sting. They can act without thinking about why they act. They become no more than a furious and angry mob. Not willing to stop and hear another point of view. A need to protect their status quo, as opposed to find the truth. No group is exempt and all groups have the same connecting fiber of a place of power for the individual who joins.

Jesus, only wants us to join one tribe, humankind. Regardless if they were polo shirts or have tattoo’s or are poor or are any other defining characteristics. We are all God’s people, even the Pharisees. Heck, even angry bees are God’s creatures.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by rawpixel

 

“In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

 

– Acts [20:35]

SIMPLE ACTS OF KINDNESS TELL A BIGGER STORY

After Hurricane Florence which created havoc around my community in coastal Carolina, our local thrift store that supports hospice care was turned into a depository for goods to help those who had lost everything. In the past, Connie and I had dropped off items to help them. The people who took the items were pleasant and engaging. The store was orderly and cheery.

On this day soon after the storm, we decided to donate more. As I drove into the parking lot, I noticed a large amount of people looking for goods. Far more people than usual  that day. I drove to the back, where goods are dropped off and to the two women who handle the intake of clothes, furniture and other household items. They looked haggard and tired. They had been working around the clock.

Despite their weariness they helped unload my pick-up truck loaded with items. After, I stopped to talk and thank them for volunteering. I mentioned the crowds and asked were they getting enough donations to help solve the need of these people. They replied, “We are receiving more items than that what is being taken. Our back warehouse is jammed!”

As I reflected on this later in the day, it finally hit me what these two wonderful women had just told me. More gave then took! What did it mean? It was symbolic of a belief I have long held, that despite the news stories of violence, scams and calamity; goodness abounds. We don’t see it because It just isn’t news worthy. These two women will never be on the news or radio. In their place will be stories about the worse side of humanity. Good news and  good people don’t sell ads.

But here it was in front of me that day with empirical proof. Good far outweighs evil. Humankind is far more generous than credited. Humankind knows what Jesus said, , ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ In my heart I have always known this, but never before had I received such concrete proof.

In the quiet people, like these two women,  they give because it is their desire to help. Not looking for praise, just to help. They are motivated by the purest of all intent’s, an empathetic heart. But they are not the only ones, it is also the people who silently drove in to help their neighbors. These people wouldn’t raise gas prices when it was scarce or charge higher hotel prices when the displaced grew in numbers. They give and care. You won’t see these people on the nightly news, but they exist in large volumes in our neighborhoods and across the country. They are the real definition of humankind. They are God’s people.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Josh Edgoose

 

 

“ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

– Matthew [5:16]

BEACON OF LIGHT

At seven each morning two men arrive at the tennis court across the street from my house. Each morning they tend to the court and the grounds around its area. Each morning they drive forty-five minutes to do their job. Each morning I hear their voices of camaraderie. They serve without complaint and dutifully do their job. They always smile and say “hi” when I greet them.

They also tend to the fourteen hundred acres of natural beauty that surround our homes off the coast of North Carolina. When I first arrived, I thought there was an army of people who did the work of maintaining the beauty of our small village community. But I learned later it was just these two men. They work dutifully each day from seven to six, whether in the oppressive heat of the summer or the cold biting winds of the winter. They are here silently doing their job.

When we see them and try to supplement their meager income with a gift of our appreciation, they won’t accept unless both men are present. To which they then share equally, carefully dividing up the small gift.

Before hurricane Florence severely damaged the coast of North Carolina, one of them, Carmella, had taken a long and hard-earned vacation. When he heard about the devastation, he shortened his vacation and came back to help with the reconstruction. Driving through a long night, that required many turns and detours to avoid the many closed roads, he arrived that morning ready to help.

They came to our country from a distant land in South America, seeking freedom and a better life. You won’t see their life stories on CNN or Fox news. Their kindness and dedication don’t make great news stories. They are legal immigrants, like my great grandfathers and mothers. They came to our country, not to harm and maim, but to have a chance at a life where they could be free.

Their lives are much harder than most. They struggle to keep their cars on the road and bread for their families. They work long hours doing the work of far more than we should expect from two men.

But they show up every day in front of my house. Every day, they smile and wave. Every day, they dutifully go about their rounds. Every day, they do far more than they are paid. Every day, I see the beacon of their light shining, as a reminder of how I should live.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Joakim Honkasalo

 

 

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;”

– Matthew [6:14]

WHERE HAS AMERICA GONE?

In 1776, recoiled by oppressive oversight the great experiment of a true democracy began in Lexington Massachusetts. Man, and women gathered to carve out a democracy under God. Later in 1789 the constitution was written that the firmed up the democratic principles of this great experiment. It has survived to become the longest and oldest pure democracy of modern times. It has survived a terrible civil war,  internal charlatans who sought to steal freedom and the threats of evil from other places. It was created at a time when rancorous crowds in other countries could not see that rancor and unforgiving heart kills a democracy and their attempts failed.

This wonderful experiment has created a people that responds first to all calamities and its people will lend a hand to any country in need. Sure, we have had our moments caused by ill-intentioned politicians and scam artists. But at our core are the everyday people that make this grand experiment work.

Our country has endured much, but protected by those who serve on the frontlines of our freedom. Whether at Lexington or Gettysburg or the shore of Normandy, those that protect this democracy have sacrificed their lives to maintain this gift of freedom.

We are country whose constitution provides the right of free speech and the practice of religion. We are a country where the right to vote is gift, that not all share. We are a country, where due process is the civil and orderly way disputes are solved. All those who come forward are thought to be innocent until proven guilty. Not only the accused but the accuser.

I think about the men and women who were on the beaches of Normandy and bravely got out of boats into a fusillade of bullets to protect this right and way of life. Their efforts of sacrifice saved us and the world from the evil of Nazi tyranny. I think about the men and women of the Army corp of engineers who help reconstruct those places damaged by typhoons and other natural disasters. I think about the lonely nights of terror they had to survive for our freedom. It is not the generals or politicians, but the foot soldiers, nurses, pilots and seaman who protect us.

Our country was founded on freedom and one of those freedoms is a life of second chances. Most of the immigrants who came to our country were seeking a different life. To America they came for a second chance. A country not founded on negativity and rancor, but founded on forgiveness and second chances. A place where any person could rise up and excel, not bound in by elitism or aristocracy.

But as I watch today, I am dismayed by listening to our politicians’ bicker and name call each other. Gone are the days when patriots served in our legislature. Gone are days when those who served set an example of politeness and devotion. Gone are men like John McCain and Hubert Humphrey who stood up for us.

We need to return to our core values in Washington, state senates, our academic world and our churches. It starts with forgiving our brothers and sisters first. Listening, before we hit the prerecorded opinions of those we are aligned with. We must return to seeing each other as what we are, people made in the image of God. No longer should the accuser be vilified. No longer should the accused be tried outside of due process. No longer is right to demean other races. Both from white’s harboring ill will towards blacks. But also, not to systematically call white people oppressors. We are all God’s people and we all deserve respect, even when we disagree.

We are better than this,  a potential supreme court justice should not yell at congress regardless of how he feels he was wronged. We are better than trying people in the court of public opinion and not in the courts set up by men and women who valiantly established our wonderful experiment. Selfish motives should become replaced by those seeking the truth. Our party affiliation should not dictate our conscience, but replaced by a conscience the is enamored with truth. But mostly, we should remember that God forgave us for our moments of cringeful behavior.

Forgiveness isn’t about remembering the slights. It isn’t about anger. It isn’t about talking without listening. Forgiveness is part of love. If Love is the top side of the coin in Jesus’ eyes than forgiveness is the other side. Without a forgiving nature we will fail in this experiment of freedom.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

 

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

-Matthew [22:36]-40

LOVING THY NEIGHBOR

My neighbor, Lynn, lives out the primal Christian attitude of “Love thy God and Love thy neighbor” every day and with every thought. She was a great sales person in previous life, before taking on the immensely important duty of raising two wonderful young men. In her previous life as a sales person, she was successful because she respected and cared for her customers. She never sold products based on achieving sales goals, but sold products that served the customer’s needs. Her sons, who have in turn become wonderful examples of how to live life and are successful are a mirror of both their parents.

Lynn can be frank, but never unkind. When she greets you, it is always with a hug and a welcoming comment. When neighbors are struggling she invites them to dinner to enjoy a period of neighborly comradery. Lynn’s life arrow is all pointed straight and true. But her most redeeming characteristic is her belief in “loving her neighbor.” Like many of the women in my neighborhood, caring comes first, agenda comes second.

Recently, I was watching the Kavanaugh hearings and became extraordinarily dismayed at the politics of our country. A woman has come forward to accuse a man of abuse. Instead of a hearing of interest in finding the truth, I watched a hearing of bickering and acrimony. For our country, perhaps one of its worst moments. With this extraordinarily sensitive subject, we witnessed politics of hate and not the sensitivity and compassion that it deserved. I wondered what if Lynn and the other fine women in my community had served as the seekers of truth in this hearing. What if Lynn or Linda or Cindy or Jonelle or Nancy or Mari or Collen or LeeAnn or Darlene or Patty or my wife had served as those looking for the truth?  The outcome and spectacle would have been very different. What Lynn and the other women in my community have in their hearts is a love for all humankind. Sure, they are all smart and sure they are all polished, but they love humankind first.

I think about  the men in my neighborhood who served in the military protect the right of “Due process” for all the citizens of our great country. Like Lynn they served for their neighbors. A life purpose of trying to help humankind.

On this day, I wondered, “What if Lynn was a senator or even president? How much different the hearings would have been.” In fact, what if most of my neighbors had been president or a senator.

As a country we need more people with an attitude of “loving their neighbor.” Gone would be the politics of name calling, racial slurs against all races and gender, spoken by all races and genders. Gone would be a sense of self-importance, and replaced by a patriotic attitude of respect for the man and women who created the oldest form of democracy that exists in the world. The left would hear first and talk second. The right would do the same. Gone would be the pre-recorded rebuttals of unhearing politicians.

On a quiet afternoon on her wonderful porch, Lynn politely reminded me to avoid negativity in my thinking. Not in an accusatory way, but with a gentle conviction. A way that made me feel loved and that catapulted me to thinking I could do better. I know many fine women and men who do the same thing. I only wish that Lynn, Connie, Mike, Nancy, Steve, Emmitt, Scott, Cindy, Geoff, Bern, Roger, Anne, Connie, Betsy, Jonelle, Jeff, Penny, Chrissi, Carolyn, Bill, Dorothy, Robert, James, Kenny, Ken, Susan, Sue and so many others served and protected this great country of liberty.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

 

 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

CHRISTIAN LED BUSINESSES THRIVE!

As an author I love to read reviews. All authors seek them out. We do to see if the reader was helped. Did we help change their lives? Was my book valuable? Any review is important, because it gives us author’s insight into how we are helping the world. Sure, we get disappointed with reviews that are bad and overly excited with good reviews. But we write to help and these reviews guide us for the future.

Recently I read a review of my book, Jesus & Co., that said, “I wish I worked in this company, I wish my employers focused on these values and learned the lessons of Jesus.” Immediately I was dismayed and empathetic for this woman who wrote the review. Then thought, “It isn’t this hard, why couldn’t she work at a place she could respect.” I had this life, why couldn’t she? A friend of mine, said, “Bruce you lived in a bubble for most of your life! Her life is normal.

It is true that I was blessed with two wonderful parents, who ensured that I had a childhood of riches, even though they weren’t wealthy. I had a guidance counselor in high school who knew my limitations and sent me to the right college for my abilities. And with  what limited resources they had, my parents paid for my education. I was fortunate to work for great companies that cared for their employees. I was fortunate to be married to a woman of grace and intelligence. I was surrounded by four daughters, who in each has a special sweetness. Whatever turmoil existed in my life, it was self-induced. Maybe I do live in a bubble.

But shouldn’t all people have this life, especially this woman who wrote the review. Shouldn’t she be able to go to work and look forward to the day. Shouldn’t she be able to support her family without feeling enslaved. Sure, she should! It is sobering to know that this life of drudgery exists.

Running a business on Christian values isn’t that hard and all people should be able to enjoy the fruit of these values. For employers it starts with a purity of the heart. A heart that seeks out good, for their employees and customers. Not one driven by numbers first and everything else second. Surely, employers have to worry about paying the bills and staying afloat. The irony is that having a generous heart and caring for both employees and customers actually create a more sustainable business. A business that is driven without self-interest and is focused on the values of Christ will not only survive, but thrive.

Running a Christian business means replacing the fear of scarcity with faith in the future. It means giving into the needs of others and not protecting our own self-interest. It means letting the power of humankind act independently and not commanded through excessive control caused by fear. The greatest asset a Christian led business has is not its hard assets, besides Jesus’ values, it is its people, employees and customers. And they only require direction with the purity of heart.

For some, giving up fear and control is hard. But Jesus tells us that there is a powerful future when we employ our values with a heart that does good. Imagine this woman working in an environment that cared for her, how much better would she work? Imagine if she was given the freedom to do what she thought was right, how much better the company would perform. Running a business with Christian values means giving up on fearful management and embracing the values of Jesus.

I have lived in a bubble and am thankful. From this pinnacle of being surrounded and nurtured by wonderful people, life has been good. But all people deserve this same chance. It is much simpler than we think,  it means leading with a heart that is filled with the purity of Christian values.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

 

 

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving;”

-1 Timothy 4:4

THE GOODNESS OF HUMANKIND

On a distant trip away from home, we went to church on a rainy Sunday. A new church we had never been to before. When we walked in it was wonderfully decorated, similar to other new age churches we had visited. The music was riveting and inspiring. The people friendly and open. It portrayed a community that cared for others and their neighbors. I was hopeful for a wonderful sermon that would provide insight and new thoughts.

It wasn’t to be. The sermon was about the total depravity of humankind. The pastor at one point to prove his case used his children as examples of this depravity. He said, “If you don’t believe me, take my three kids for the weekend and you will see.” A few giggles were heard, but my wife and myself raised our eyebrows. This wasn’t our experience raising four wonderful young women. We saw something different. We saw them grow into caring people desiring to be good. We saw them struggle at times with responsibility. We saw them at times do things they weren’t proud of. But always returning to the inner goodness that existed in their hearts.

The sermon was a stark contrast to what the people of the church demonstrated. The minister propelled by a common theological view had missed what surrounded him. The goodness of his flock.

I have heard this Augustinian view of the total depravity of humankind many times during my seven years at theological school. A predominate theory about humankind. One I never fully accepted. My classmates would at times declare I was a universalist. Many times, I would swim upstream against this strongly rooted current.  While I do believe there is at times a sinful nature in humankind, I do not believe it is the predominate attribute. I have seen too much to fully accept the total depravity of humankind.

I see in my neighbors, family and quiet acquaintances the image of God. In the first book and first chapter of the Bible a wonderful statement exists:

 

So God created humankind[a] in his image,
in the image of God he created them;[b]
male and female he created them. (Genesis [1:27])

 

I have seen this many times in life. I have seen neighbors helping neighbors. I have seen homeless people give away their last dollar to help out a friend. I have seen the loving look of a mother at the birth of a child. I have seen parents trudge off to work every day to support their families. I have seen first responders drop everything to answer a call for help. I have seen people respond to calls for help during natural disasters. I have seen so much more.

Surely, I know evil exists. Surely I know we all can act depraved at times. I cannot explain why this happens. But I do know evil only has momentary gains. God and humankind will always rise up. Depravity exists, but it isn’t total. There is an ember of goodness that burns in all people. Some have been born into bad circumstances. Some have been pushed the wrong way in life. Some have never been heard. The essence of humanity is good, born with the inheritance of being made in the image of God.

In today’s verse, Timothy reminds us that what God creates is good. We all have the choice of what we see. We can live in darkness or thrive amongst the goodness that abounds. It is our choice.

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Ian Baldwin

 

 

“But let the righteous be joyful;
let them exult before God;
let them be jubilant with joy.”

Psalm 68:3

JOY, A PERMANENT POSSESSION

As we were walking the final mile of our ten-mile hike, my hiking companion looked up and saw the ridge we had just been walking, and exclaimed, “Wow, we were just up there.” In turn, I looked up; and saw the ridge many miles away in the distance. Much higher than we were walking this last mile. My companion was filled with joy at what had been accomplished. A joy that was expressed silently, revealed in a knowing look of satisfaction.

The journey and the day had been long. The journey contained the vital first steps of starting out. Later replaced with steep climbs over stairs of logs and along cutbacks. There were times that the climbs seemed longer than possible, requiring a heads down one foot at a time effort to cope. These climbs exhausted us and seemingly when  we thought we could go no further, we found the energy to do just a little more. A steep and steady climb that tested our abilities.

Our reward at the top was an expansive view of the countryside’s deep valleys and rivers. We also knew that going down was easier and would give us time to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature. There would be streams to cross and long winding paths through a canopy of green.

When the hike is over we are filled with joy. Joy in what we accomplished. Joy in being alone in God’s majestic canvas of nature. Joy that we finished and took no shortcuts, just slow and wonderful steps.

In all, there are twenty thousand steps in a ten-mile hike. On some hikes you can climb over twenty-five hundred feet or a half mile in the air. A long but joyful walk.

Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is fleeting and a temporary state. Joy is permanent. The effort we put in isn’t always easy, but always rewarding. The effort will always be remembered. Happiness will melt away as quickly as it arrived. Accomplishments create joy and will never disappear.

So, it is with our faith. There are many steps to march. There are many times where faithful patience is required. Faith that is practiced with a rhythmic consistency becomes a permanent companion.

Life approached looking for happiness will always leave us thirsty for purpose. Life led to create joy will lead us to a life of permanent purpose.

We pray for a jubilant life filled with joy.

 

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Matt Lamers

 

 

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder” 

Luke [11:21]–22

BE SAFE

As we were evacuating from coastal Carolina in front of hurricane Florence, we began to get calls and text messages. They all contained a simple message, “be safe.” In turn we sent the same message to our neighbors as they made their plans. What did “be safe” mean to us? It was a remarkable outpouring of human kindness from our friends and relatives. In an age where we are bombarded by the media of human frailties, these small two words spoke about the greatness of human compassion. An empathetic response from close friends, parents and relatives that they were with us. It also told us what was important.

In these two words I see the greatness of humankind. These two words spoken over and over again won’t be the focus of the news, it will be about the plundering caused by a wildly vicious storm. But these two words will be remembered by all that heard them. These words buoyed my wife and myself. They became more important than our house or possessions. They spoke to us through our hearts.

We have been told by the civil authorities we won’t be able to return home for at least a week, maybe even weeks or months. We were told that our house will be damaged. Surely these are concerns, but our house is replaceable and the money we lose can be earned again. What was important to us, was the pictures in our truck that contained a life of joy. What was important to us was that we remained safe for our children, grandchildren and parents. What was also important were that our neighbors were out of harm’s way.

In the Bible verse for today, Jesus asks that we stay safe. This verse is from the famous Parable of the Strongman. Like all of the parables of Jesus, there are many messages. In this parable, Jesus is telling us to protect what is important and be fully armed. Fully armed in our faith. Fully armed in protecting what is important. But also, to be wary of those things bigger than us. To not fear them, but be wise. To know they exist and be fully prepared. Sometimes that means walking away when our foe, like a hurricane, that is bigger and stronger.

The hurricane will reap its havoc. We will all have to band together to resurrect our community. There will be months of turmoil to fix what is broken. Our job today, as it is with any of life’s setbacks, is to respond faithfully. Our job today is to help our neighbor, protect what is most important and mostly be safe. 

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Shayne House

 

 

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you”

(Colossians [3:13])

WHAT ARE WE MAD AT?

In a counseling session, my client was very angry. Angry that no one would hire him because of his age. He was mad and confused. He still felt very young and was a top sales person in his previous career. He had stayed fit, ate well and read often. He couldn’t reconcile the bias against him versus who he was. He was mad and it was starting to surround his being.

I asked him to tell me why he was mad and was it helping. What had he been telling himself in the quiet moments by himself? He replied, “It is so unfair, I can help and just want to be productive.” He was right it was unfair and not only that it was illegal. I knew this wasn’t what he was mad about. What he was mad about was something very different. It was the reality that he had grown older. It was about the loss that comes with age. It was a the loss of being able to provide for himself and his family. He was grieving all these losses.

But he had told himself  something different. He had told himself it was unfair and employers were wrong. This truth he told himself soothed him and allowed him to cope. It allowed him to justify his anger, but his truth wouldn’t help. He still wanted to work and remain productive. Dealing with the reality of being older was his task, not his anger. To move forward required two critical steps. First to accept where he was in life and most importantly forgive those who denied him.

Being truthful with the situation would help him create a plan. Forgiving others would allow him to move beyond his anger. He knew he was a good salesman, but life had caught him by surprise. He had aged in a society where aging is considered a disability. In truth aging isn’t a disability, it is an asset. He had to learn how to use this asset to move forward. He had seen a lot in his life that helped him be a good salesperson. He knew how to help customers and provide what they needed. He didn’t waste time trying to sell something his customers didn’t want or need. He knew the key to be a great salesperson was solving the customers problem. He learned all this as he aged. This was his truth, not his anger.

This meant he had to change his approach. He wasn’t old, he was experienced. He had a great reputation. He was known to be positive, trustworthy and competent. This was his truth not that he was old. In his frustration he had forgotten all of this and told himself something different. In doing this he had not relied on those whom he had helped in the past. His network was his answer, not filling out applications and waiting for rejection. He was still wanted, just not by an intangible community that viewed age as a liability. So he turned to his network for help.

Soon after, an up and coming company in his industry called and asked him in for an interview. They told him that his name kept coming up when they were trying to find the right person for their opening. His past and age had come back to help him. They asked him to come to work for them. Why, not because he was old, but he was the right person for the job. His reputation had trumped his age. His network spoke for him.

Sure there are those that will hold us back because of some intangible reason that doesn’t make sense. Sure we will be wronged. But what is our response. To be careful in what we tell ourselves and not become defined but what others from faraway say.  But defined by ourselves and friends. We should also remember, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Blessings, until next time,
Bruce L. Hartman

Photo by Lina Trochez