11/6/2019
A beautiful young mother of four just came into the store for water. She is an exuberant person and her 4 children (at least the 3 I’ve met) are just as full of life as she is. The oldest is a girl, 8, and the boys are 5, 3, 18 months. They were a joy to see and be around. As she told me things about them, I was reminded of our 3 as they were growing. We had our two sons 18 months apart back when we were sooo young we didn’t know anything about raising children. But, we did it any way—mostly by the way we were raised (lucky for us my parents and Barb’s were all from Kentucky. Kentucky folks knew how to raise kids, at least back then.)
When our oldest was almost 12, second was 10+, our youngest was born. She was the boys’ little sister. The two of them liked being around her and “babysat” for us beginning not too long after she was born. We heard many opinions about raising children, but we never believed any of the negative things like “terrible twos,” —we thought they were “terrific twos”— and all the other frightening adjectives attached to how old they were. I think it is safe to declare we never had a bad year with any of the 3 of them. We found all our years with the 3 of them to be joyful.
My SIMH is betraying me. This morning I had a very familiar tune in my head and as I tried to continue it to get to the title of the song, it was crowded out by a terrific song by the 3 most listenable female voices; “Telling Me Lies”—by the TRIO—Dolly, Linda, and EmmieLou, also a very great song which has now wandered around the back of my mind most of the day. “I cover my ears I close my eyes
Still hear your voice and it’s telling me lies”—written by Linda Thompson and Betty Cook, back in 1985.
I am a retailer way down deep. When I started in retail, it was in an exclusive, selective menswear store, Dalton & Payne Clothiers. Just a single store with a satellite store in a shopping center on the edge of town. It was just a couple of months before I turned 20. I had tried selling—the hard way; party plan, door to door. Not much luck. But, that training did teach me some dos & don’ts when talking with people and especially when talking about their money! But menswear, that I really loved. I was hired part-time, maybe for some of the time, but was thrilled when Bruce Dalton told me he wanted me to work as many evenings as I wanted to in the satellite shopping center store. So, for most of two years, that’s what I did. I didn’t really want to quit. But, it was a lot of pressure to make more money than two jobs could provide. So, I took a manager training job and in about two months, I became a jewelry store manager—at 22. I stayed in retail for most of the next 20 years, before starting to just do nothing but preach and teach bible. (Which I continue to this day and love every moment of it and never shall I stop until the Lord stops my heartbeat.)
Since stepping away from being a pastor and only teaching 1,,2, or 3 times per week, I’ve re-entered retail and love it just like I did in 1962!
Everything about retail is different except the people. People are just the same. Retail is about presentation, not closing the sale. You make the product be as desirable and as valuable to the customer as you can…..and then you wait! on them. Wait: if they want what you have, they will buy. Both jewelry and later, carpet was more than simply presentation. It was just a tad more pressure to produce and more salesmanship filled urgency. When that era of my life’s work was done, I enjoyed my preaching/teaching/pastoring time more. I like retail!
When I enjoy the preaching/teaching most is when it is obvious those who are participating actually believe the bible is God’s word. That “levels all playing fields.” When I enjoy it the least is when I have to back up and reiterate how very truth-filled it is. Studying the bible is not a game nor is it fair game for any doubt-ridden argument. A person either believes the bible IS God’s word or they don’t.
I enjoy retail when I know the product I’m presenting to those who come are way is like the bible to a study participant: I believe what I’m showing them and they can say yea or nay at their own choice.
Thanks for reading, the Elder
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