Friday, February 15, 2008

February 15, 2008

Life throws you a curve, God helps keep you steady

Read Acts 2:42-47

For the last few months of 2007, Sue and I concentrated on various options with the direction of our small family-owned company, in-the-family since 1963. We had loyal clientele and good customer service, but the market was tough and changing, and the overhead too much for our existing business model. Cash flow was tight and while we still had a viable company, we had to look to a major change in our operation.

Merging with another company seemed like a logical solution, but some were too big and impersonal; others too steeped in our similar historic business model, yet one seemed just right (yup, just like the three bears). They were 3 times our size; the owners had future vision and thought our company could add value to their operation. As of this writing, it has been two weeks since Nancy Grose (yup, of the famous hardworking GPUMC Grose family) and I have been working with the new company (based in Livonia). Welcoming is a good word to describe their reception of us, and although the software and way of doing things is different, their approach is customer-centric and forward thinking.

How does this apply to GPUMC and a Lenten Devotional? The steadiness and solidness (yeah, it is not perfect, but pretty darn good) of our GPUMC “family” supported Sue and me (even though they did not realize it, you know confidentially is a key to successful mergers). Our various GPUMC connections gave us stability and strength: choir fun and quality; the wonderful members of the Nominating Committee (which I serve as a member and each member's only goal is the continuing betterment of GPUMC); Retreat camaraderie; VIM trip to New Orleans; and various other aspects of our church too numerous to mention.

As we give to God’s church, it gives back, in mysterious and indirect ways, but as genuine as anything in life. Thanks GPUMC for being there in hidden and real ways when we needed it!

Dave DeWitt

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