Editor’s Note: This article was originally published by Lawrence L. Fargher and written by Jim Gillon.
"It was cold and blustery, as it had been for a month now. The weather had been good for our business in the grocery store, but some of the customers were getting on our nerves. Particularly one little old lady. She was new in the neighborhood, but everyone soon had problems with her. She always needed help to find items, was constantly returning things, complaining, and anything else she could think of to irritate us.
"As I went to open the store, our pesty customer was making her way across the parking lot, practically dragging a bulky old bag. 'Oh, no, what is she up to this morning?' I asked one of the cashiers. 'Probably bringing back the items we had to hunt for her yesterday,' he said. I angrily watched as she slowly made her way to the store.
"'Excuse me, Sir,' she said while tugging at my arm. 'Is there a place in back to plug in my crock pot?' 'What?' I said very rudely. 'I made some stew for your people, and the pot needs to be plugged in so it will be warm for lunch.'
"I didn't know what to say. Very embarrassed, I helped her to our coffee room. While she was putting her things on the table, I thought of all the terrible things we had said about her. None of us really knew her, but we had been quick to talk badly about her. After she was out of the store I went back to the coffee room. On top of her crock pot was a hand-printed message: 'For the employees, from one who always needs help.' That was wrong. We were the ones who needed help."
That's a powerful message. SEE YOU AT THE TOP!
Zig Ziglar is known as America’s Motivator. He authored 33 books and produced numerous life-changing programs. He will be remembered as a man who lived out his faith daily.