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What To Do First to Make a Profit

The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat  ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're  not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director.  Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year.  God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started inve

How Much Do You Really Think About Your Spouse?

Larry and Me ~ Vacation in Boston, two years ago
 
Memorial Day is a day when our family typically stays at home. It's a day to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom in America.  I do remember and honor. Just saying, on this day of remembering our heroes, Larry and I choose to stay home rather than fight the crowds, trying to find a spot for a towel or chair on an overly-crowded beach.  Most people would not guess it but other than the context of work, I'm an introverted, stay-at-home type person at heart. I don't even like to go away for vacation, but make it a priority to do so because it's important to my husband.

Larry asked me last week what I wanted to do for Memorial Day. It was no shock to him when I said, "Stay home."

"What do you want to do at home?" was his response. I'm surprised he asked because I give the same response every time for 28 years: "Relax."

 "What does relaxing look like?" he says.

 "Steaks on the grill and a movie at home." I say.

 So yesterday I opened the refrigerator and saw a large package of steaks from the grocery store.
 
Alongside them was a small package of something in butcher paper.

I thought maybe he bought shrimp. (He actually did but it was in a separate package.)

"What is this little package in butcher paper?" I asked.

"That's your steak," he answered.
 
I was puzzled since I could see the large package of steaks alongside it.

When I asked him why my steak was separate from the rest he said, "The large package of steaks are for the kids and me. The small package is yours because it's your favorite cut of meat and I wanted you to have it."

 It's the little things...

 The power of this is huge in marriage, or any relationship for that matter.

 What holds a relationship together isn't just times you go away for an anniversary...

 New lingerie...

 Or what people consider huge demonstrations of love (expensive jewelry, creating big events, sentimental videos, or spending a lot of money).

 The fire remains in a relationship when it is continually stoked by every day demonstrations of thoughtfulness.

Larry Shrodes thinks about me, even when he is at Publix. 

Who knew? 

Now, I do, if I didn't before.
 

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