Quitters stink!

When I won Business Person of the year for Gwinnett they asked me to say a few words. I did not even think I was going to win, much less was I prepared to speak about it. Prior to the award ceremony I had been intensely negotiating a contract just a few miles away and left the meeting with little time to spare in order to make the ceremony and I had virtually no time to even think about this event. Standing before an entire room of business owners and entrepreneurs I told them the first thing that popped into my mind namely that it is not always easy running a business and my best advice to them when in those situations would be to persevere.

It is difficult to succeed at anything and rest assured anyone attempting to do anything significant will face many trials and tribulations. Those who do succeed will need to persevere. My situation was exceedingly difficult. When I arrived in Atlanta I had no money, no car, one change of clothes in a pillow case suitcase, no rich daddy or mama, no friends, a serious addiction to drugs and alcohol, no college degree. One thing I did have though was a determination to turn my life around and make a better life for myself. After working hard at getting straight and starting at menial jobs and working my way up the ladder, I started my first business by borrowing $1000 on a credit card. As I look back on it, the odds to succeed would be astronomical against succeeding, but somehow I was able to keep it alive. I could have quit trying to own my own business numerous times and a few times when things got really bad according to many advisors should’ have quit, but I was determined to weather the storm. Now 36 years later I have successfully founded some eight businesses and perseverance is a big reason for the success.

Too often in life we just give up when we need to get tough and keep working. As the Bible states, surviving hard times will require perseverance which will build character which gives us hope. Once hope is acquired problems do not loom so ominously, (even large problems), and seem more solvable.

My wife and I are spending more time in Atlanta and are trying to find a church where we can worship God and really enjoy it. The church that I attended for twenty some odd years when I lived here before has changed, (for the worse to my way of thinking). I know the pastor and I know that he changed it to reach young people, but what appeals to them does not appeal to me. I cannot get used to the casual (grunge) clothes, contemporary music with no choir and I miss traditional gospel music, an invitation, Sunday school and on and on. Yes I am old fashioned. I think people should dress up to go to church as a sign of respect for our Lord and Savior. Gospel music and invitations are a big part of worship to my way of thinking and so forth.

Instead of giving up and staying at home to watch church television or go to a church that I do not feel is right for me, I am determined to visit every church in Atlanta if necessary to find a new church home whereby I can enjoy ‘every’ service ‘every’ Sunday that I spend in Atlanta. I am not a quitter and this is as important as anything in my life. I will PERSEVERE and find a church home that is right for me!

How about you? Is your church home right for you? If not, why not try a new church this Sunday? And if that does not work keep looking next Sunday and the next and the next until you find the right church for you. Don’t attend a church because you helped found it, or because you know people who attend there, or because you know the pastor or feel obligated somehow. Attend church to worship the Lord and to give you the strength that you need to persevere. Attending church every Sunday is essential to the Christian life. Don’t miss out on it. There is a church out there that is perfect for you; now go out there and persevere until you find it! And when you do, become involved and work within it for the Lord.

Romans 5:3
And not only that, but we also
glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance character;
and character hope.