A Hero to his Valet

There is an old saying, attributed to various people, that “no man is a hero to his valet.” Well, one man was a hero to his personal servant.

Edmund Morris, in his fabulous book, COLONEL ROOSEVELT, writes about Roosevelt taking a speaking tour in England after he was president. At the end of the trip, Roosevelt said goodbye to his friend, Arthur Lee, and to the valet, who had taken care of his needs during his trip.

After he boarded the ship, that would take him home to the United States, Lee was surprised to see Roosevelt’s servant crying. He asked him what was wrong.

The valet replied, “Excuse me sir, but in all my 30 years of service, I have never met such a great gentleman as ’im.”

Humility from the great is always appreciated.

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what (Phil. 2:5-6). THE MESSAGE

Listen Up

“19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 2:19).

            Occasionally I’ll note something in social science that confirms the teaching of scripture. One the most recent was from the book, JUST LISTEN, by Mark Goulston.

           

Goulston, a former hostage-negotiator, writes that the normal response to someone’s anger is to respond with raised voices and arguments. Instead, one should listen closely, ask questions, and repeat what you heard the individual saying.

In doing so, you make the person feel like he has been heard. Hence, the odds are increased that he will respond in a “conciliatory” manner.