I heard a quote this morning from the late, Rev. Adrian Rogers. I was with some other guys who have been meeting each Wednesday morning at 0700 since 2003. Forty-Five minutes of Christian fellowship… and a sausage muffin or the like.
It hit me right between the eyes and I wanted to share it with you.
“People who are wrapped up in themselves make a very small package”
“Often guilty, your honor”
Later today, I met briefly with a young man who I have known for several years as I helped break him in when he joined our local fire department. Ryan reminded me a lot of myself when I was his age….he was just bigger, stronger and smarter… a natural firefighter.
There was no career path for him with our public safety department as the police side of the house rules the roost, (“A police department with a few fire engines…”) Over the years we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars training good firefighters only for them to get discouraged and leave for the opportunities of “a real fire department”.
Ryan, probably 7-8 years ago as we were taking up after a house fire in Aiken.
I was able to use a few of my relationships to get him a shot at a position with the Columbia, SC Fire Department. He was able to close the deal, has consistantly done more than what was asked of him and is already up for another promotion. I have so enjoyed watching him grow in his career.
Anyway, I needed to get something from him that he had borrowed a few months ago and when I met him today, he presented me with a long sleeve T-shirt, a short sleeve, company shirt and baseball cap that the guys wear when working. To a retired FF like me, that was a big deal. After getting home I texted him that the shirt fit perfectly and that I appreciated the thought. His response was “No problem my friend. And everything you have done for me is much appreciated as well”
Yea, I’m sometimes guilty of being a (6-4, 230lb) small package, but from time to time I get it right and am reminded that it is my loving and helping others that brings joy into my life, not always the other way around.
I think some of that rubbed off on Ryan.
A Simple, Village Undertaker 