Community

Be careful to not let others tell you what your work is worth. If God has given you work to do -- press on.

A couple of weeks ago we stopped by my mom's house for a visit. She and her husband Al had recently taken down a tree in the backyard -- you know the kind -- the threatening tree that scares your kids in a thunderstorm and now hangs menacingly over the house, just waiting to crash down in a storm. Not wanting a hole in the roof, they cut the tree down -- leaving a large stump about three feet high.

Perched where the tree should have been was one of those really cool "tree carvings" of an eagle with an unlucky fish in it's talons. Now, Al is an amazing guy. He was a medic in the Korean War, he  raised five children on his own, he has run his plant nursery business for decades, he is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Assocation (EAA), and has done many other amazing things, but I am pretty sure juggling chainsaws and carving birds of prey is not on his resume. So, just where did the cool eagle come from?

Al quickly told me that one of his customers had created the carving and entered it into a contest. Because it didn't win first prize, this fellow was going to trash (burn) this awesome eagle. Luckily, Al was able to take it off of his hands and give it a prominent place in the backyard where the eagle now proudly rules the backyard from his new perch.

It made me think about who gets to say what work is good and what is not? Sometimes the opinions of others will negatively impact our view of our work -- but often it is the self-doubt in our own minds that poses the greatest threat.

As a business owner, it is easy to want to throw in the towel because we entertain thoughts of "I am not good enough", or "I have no idea what I am doing", or "what business do I have in trying to run this business?", or "I am not the best therefore ...".

But, before you let these ideas take a hold in your mind, consider the treasures of the people working in your business. Look at the growth in the employees. Look at the clients who are able to move their businesses forward thanks to the dedicated work of your staff, and the value added thanks to your team's service.

Yeah, maybe you're not "best in class", or "number one". Regardless, your work matters. Press On.

Colossians 3:23 

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.