In 1880 Richard was a young telegrapher in a northern Minnesota train station when a large crate arrived from the East. The crate contained dozens of pocket watches, and because no one came to claim it, Richard telegraphed the manufacturer, offering to sell the watches for half the profits. They agreed.
His station was not a busy place, so Richard had an idea and decided to try it. He sent a wire to every train station agent in the system asking them if they wanted a good pocket watch cheap. He was surprised when he quickly sold every one of watches at a handsome profit.
He ordered more watches and encouraged his fellow telegraphers to set up a display case in their station offering high quality watches for a low price. Word spread and before long both travelers and local people came to the train station to buy watches.
Richard rented a building, hired a man named Alvah to help him with the orders and added dry goods and other items for sale. Richard and Alvah did so well that they left their jobs and moved their company to Chicago where it still is in operation today, a hundred thirty-three years later.
It was all started when Richard Sears decided to leave his job as a telegrapher and take a chance selling watches, and Alvah Roebuck decided to leave his job repairing watches and go to work for Richard. We know their place as Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Sometimes we may look back and realize we missed a great opportunity. Maybe we really wanted to try a certain thing, but never felt courageous enough to do it. Maybe it meant leaving our job for another, but we didn't want to take the risk.
No one should feel guilty for not taking such a chance. Not everyone has the vision of Richard Sears or the skills of Alvah Roebuck. Let's not feel bad about what we didn't do. Life is not long enough to try all things, and not all things are worth trying.
Rather, let us trust in God for all things in life, give Him thanks for what He's done for us, and then do the best we can in life as we are able. Like the writer of Proverbs said, "Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way." (Proverbs 3:6, Good News Version)
Trusting in God might mean stepping out in faith to try something you never thought you could do. But it also might mean staying right where you are, as a loyal worker, a faithful spouse, a creative church member or a caring friend.
Whatever you decide to do, trust God, give Him thanks, and then do something good with the time you have left.
For some people, this is their life's motto, and they don't even know it.
--
Rev. Robert L. Tasler
BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!
http://www.bobtasler.com/
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