by | Life Application
I can’t remember a job I had prior to 2009 where I didn’t take something from my employer, whether it was a piece of paper, a stapler, money, or something as simple as a paper clip.
I deserve to take things from work. I put in my 8+ hours everyday. What’s the big deal? The boss can handle me using things for personal use here and there.
Entitlement used to be my middle name.
One night in Winter 2008, all that changed for me. I was sitting in a financial bible study with my mentor, Sandy Steward. He was the type of man who made you want to be more like Jesus when he smiled.
I’ll never forget the words he said to me, as we were studying integrity in the workplace.
If you put a paperclip on a personal document that you printed, using the ink of the printer at work, then take it home, you’re a thief.
Um… Wow! I cleared my throat as the conviction punched me in the stomach.
I honestly had no idea. My conscious hadn’t told me any different. I thought it was something everyone else did, so that meant it was okay. I was wrong. I was well aware I was previously a thief when it came to the big things, but a paperclip? A tiny, metal piece that keeps me more organized? Yes, indeed.
Then Sandy told me this story of the day he asked his boss if he could print a personal document and how much he would charge. His boss looked at him like he was crazy. Who asks that question? Even the boss helped himself to such things. That day Sandy showed the light of Jesus to others in the workplace, because of a simple request to print a few papers.
If we can make that big of an impact over something so small, think of what we could do for The Kingdom with the bigger things? Something to think about, eh?
That evening changed me. His words are still embedded on my heart this very day.
Now as a business owner who budgets paperclips and post-it-notes into life, I have an even bigger glimpse. These things add up over time, and as all the bills depend on me, not my boss, it matters.
Next time you glance at a paperclip, think about this post. Ask God to show you where in your life you need a lesson on integrity. Lord knows, I’m still learning.
P.S. – Use the metal paperclips – the plastic ones suck. (Your tip of the week)
Can you remember a time when God convicted you of something that seemed so small? Leave a comment below…
by | Life Application
She stepped through the church doors this morning for the first time in a long time. I was on my way out and saw her pass by.
She smiled and gave me a big hug. She seemed to hold on a little tighter than usual. Perhaps it was because it had been a while since we’d seen each other.
Her hair was fixed beautifully, and her smile seemed to be glowing.
“How are you?” I asked.
“Good,” she said with a smile. “How are you?”
“I’m great! It’s good to see you.”
Off to church she went and off to my car I went.
Six hours later I got the call. She ended her life, just like that.
Suicide. A word that keeps ringing in my ears.
Just like that life changed. Just like that another addiction battle lost. Just like that, I found 10,000 things to be grateful for.
Today I cry out, “Thank You, Jesus!” That could’ve been me.
I stood on the tipping point once, right where my friend was. I wanted to die. Freedom was too hard to find and I couldn’t fight the battle anymore.
That could’ve been me.
Those words play over and over in my head. That could’ve been me.
Hold your family tighter today. Don’t look at someone’s smile and just assume everything is ok. Hug strangers. Smile at the clerk behind the checkout counter. Thank God that where you are today is not where you used to be.
Cling to Jesus and never let go.
by | Life Application
I grew up poor but I never knew it. My mom told me a story once about writing a bad check just so she could get us home to our family for Christmas. We were below the ramen noodle budget.
She worked a lot and barely made ends meet, but I never went without. Well, perhaps I did go without a lot of things, but I didn’t realize that.
It wasn’t until I became a teenager that I realized how different our lives were when I was younger. It wasn’t until I was introduced to Nike and other name brand items that I became aware of worlds beyond Dollar General and Walmart.
What does that have to do with crying in Target?
My parents just bought a house. It’s the second home for each of them, but the first together. (Tom is actually my step-dad.) Mom and I went shopping on Saturday for items for their new home.
To the ordinary onlooker, buying a set of dishes shouldn’t be an emotional moment. Ah.. but this wasn’t ordinary. I’m 29 years old and my mom has never owned a matching set of dishes.
Throughout my life our house was filled with mismatched items. She did the best she could and I never knew the difference, until I got older anyway. Some people may say their ashamed of that. Me? It’s made me part of who I am today.
Being poor were some of the richest days of my life.
Why? Because iPhones didn’t get in the way. Email didn’t distract me from pursuing relationships. We had to get off the couch to actually turn the three available channels on the television. When I had the opportunity to get a moment alone with my mom, which didn’t happen often because she was trying to provide, distractions weren’t allowed.
What others thought of me didn’t get in the way, because I didn’t know any different. Garage sale clothes were a part of my life and I was completely okay with that. Still am.
I tried to hold back the tears in Target because I was so proud. Proud of how far my mom has come today. Proud of what God has done in her life. Proud that she finally believed she deserved a matching set of dishes. Proud that they are something neither of us will take for granted.
I love you, Mom. I’m proud of you. Thanks for letting me be a part of such a big opportunity that seemed so small to the world. I can’t wait to sit around the table, eat dinner on your new dishes, and celebrate a life we’re so blessed to live.
by | Life Application
Dear Saturday,
I hear you’re coming to visit soon. I’m so excited! It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you. Apparently it hasn’t been that long since you last visited, but I’m not so sure.
photo credit: anthony!! (creative commons)
The expectancy of your arrival makes me smile. I’m assuming you’ll be here at midnight sharp and not a minute later, because you’ve always been good about your punctuality.
We’re going to have a blast when you get here. No alarm. No expectations. I’ve considered turning the phone off just to hang out with you. I’m expecting you to be of good company. No pressure.
I’ve thought about planning our day together, but then I thought maybe it would be more fun for us to just go with the flow. Sound good to you? Me too.
Well, I’ll make this letter short, but I wanted to drop a note to say I’m really looking forward to your arrival. Let’s enjoy each other’s company and not take it for granted.
See you soon!
Love,
Sundi Jo
by | Life Application
Ok – weird title I know, but it got your attention, right?
Seriously though, we do all have something in common. We each have a message to spread and we do that through writing and speaking. They’ve obviously been doing it much longer than I have, and they’re awesome at what they do. They both inspire me to be a better communicator.
That’s where you come in and that’s why I need your help.
Allow me to introduce you to the SCORRE Conference.
SCORRE is the only training of its kind to go deeper than just overcoming fear and worn out delivery techniques. With our unique, proven SCORRETM system, we drill down to the foundation of your speaking – your preparation. You will learn to prepare powerfully focused, crystal clear talks and then deliver them with confidence and power.
To sum it up, this conference will help me to be a better speaker and fine tune my message, as I prepare to take my new book, Dear Dad to others.
The Benefits
- Become a focused, effective and confident communicator
- Discover how to find and effectively use powerful illustrations
- Learn from professionals who have built their careers based on the principles of SCORRE
- Inspire your audience to action
- Maximize your prep time
- Network & collaborate with other professionals
Why this is the conference for me
I’ve been a communicator since the day I was born. It’s in my blood. I’m ready to take my speaking career to the next level and I need the proper training to do so.
I want to be trained right. I want to absorb information from the professionals. I want to be around other Christian speakers who practice what they preach. I’m so hungry to learn from them. Can you hear it in my voice? If not, let me type it louder and with more passion.
Here’s what a mentor recently told me about the conference:
You can’t afford not to go!
Two years ago many of you invested in my attendance of the Catalyst Leadership conference and it took me to another level in my direction as a leader. This is what the SCORRE conference will do, too.
How you can help
Since my book hasn’t sold 100,001 copies yet, I’m not “rolling in the dough.” I would love your investment, however big or small, as I prepare to take this adventure May 6-9 in Orlando.
Would you consider donating and investing in my career as a speaker?
In the next two weeks, I need to raise $2,000 to cover the trip. That includes conference price, airfare, and hotel.
I’ve provided two ways for you to pay online.
- Donate online via Fundrazr http://fnd.us/c/2Msd
- Send payments through PayPal to info@sundijo.com
I’m forever grateful for your support as I embark on this mission to become a better communicator.
P.S. If you want to take a look at my current speaking page, you can do so here.
Have you attended the SCORRE Conference? What was your favorite part? Comment below…
by | Life Application
I used to be afraid of death. After a classmate drowned in the 8th grade, I became so fearful that I woke up every morning and wondered if I would die that day.
photo credit: jc_sharp (creative commons)
I even woke up in the middle of the night once and knocked on my parents’ door because I thought I was going to die. They didn’t wake up, so apparently I didn’t knock hard enough. Turns out I wasn’t dying.
I’m happy to announce that fear is gone. I don’t remember exactly when it went away, but I know it has something to do with Jesus, so I just leave it at that.
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