Wonderful Counselor!

There are moments in relationships where we have simply done all we know how to do. We’ve made our case as crystal clear to others as possible, but still come up short. Reconciliation seems impossible. Misunderstandings get worse, not better. Blame and lack of responsibility is rampant. You get to the point where you throw up your hands and say, “God, only you can change their heart and touch their understanding in this situation.”

Well folks, not only is He the King of Mediators for personal relationships, but in business relationships too! After months of issues and drama, my Counselor rescued my business from the fiery furnace.

Remember my business adventure? Since that post, things took a turn for a ‘worse’ I never saw coming. The supplier wouldn’t fix the order to the customer’s liking. The customer was set on blaming me for not ‘catching’ their error. It became useless for me to explain anything anymore. I was a broken record. I’m talking a total circus spinning out of control….so what did I do? I let it spin as long and as fast as it wanted.

Ever been innocent, but couldn’t prove it? Honesty mistaken for a lie? Screaming, but no one wants to listen? [Oooh...Ouch...I know this is a business case, but I can't help but recount some personal situations that fit this bill too. What say God? You're able there too? =)]

Though fingers on the left and right were pointing straight at me, I was sitting in the palm of my Counselor. Though the threat of litigation loomed large over me, with expenses for attorneys and travel out of state to the proper jurisdiction, somehow I knew my Wonderful Counselor, the best in the Universe, would take care of the situation for me.

And that’s exactly what He did. He changed the heart of the supplier…to comply with the original order instructions overlooked, and make the customer happy. The same supplier who said there was nothing else to talk about. No lawsuits. No out-of-pocket expenses I don’t have.

I’m so grateful God! Thank You for this Life test in knowing when to let go, when to be quiet, and how to stay humble when innocent. I will apply these principles to personal matters as well….Couldn’t have passed this lesson without You =)!

Adventures in the Middle

I really do love having my own business. It’s a beautiful blessing that took about ten years of near hits lol. Learning what works and what doesn’t. I dig the freedom, independence, winning clients, making moola on my own terms. But I must say, there are moments when you scratch your head as you catch it from both ends. See, I’m in the middle. A distributor. A dealer, if you will. We don’t manufacture the items. We connect buyers and sellers. Cool, right? Yeah. Most times.

I’ve got an order on the burner right now that’s on straight FIRE! And though I feel the heat, I’m doing my part to stay cool so far. Don’t panic. As if living Life wasn’t enough, God wants glory in my business too? Yes, that about sums it up.

So, here’s how tight the middle can get some times. On the right, we have Mr. Supplier, who did not comply with order terms (which are in writing), and claims new information that was never discussed (written or verbal). On the left, we have Ms. Customer, who in her stated perfection, thought she sent artwork A, but sent artwork B, and now all of her items are printed incorrectly — all 30,000 of them!!! After she realizes the error, all my calls go to vmail which says she’s on “vacation”. Both the Mr. and Ms. want(ed) to blame yours truly, and the Mr. wants to know who’s paying the piper.

Oh well, I’m just gonna wait this one out. Sit back and watch God work yet again. I’ve proven my point to both parties in…check this….meekness lol. There was a time when I would be loud and wrong-spirited, esp. if I thought or knew I was right. I’m not claiming perfection with this, just that it’s in action right now. Feels pretty good, too!

I think I could get used to this non-resistant way of Life. Relinquish control to God and sit back and watch the movie with a bowl of popcorn. We’ll see how this one ends…..=)!