Have You Found Those Who Love & Believe?

When I first met him I was hopeful. This was the man who was going to buy our company.

He was tall, handsome, well dressed, and coiffed. At forty-two he was an EVP of a public tech conglomerate. I later found out he was from Texas. It was confirmed when he walked with that tell-tale Texan swagger. He didn’t talk in sentences. He talked in questions. I remember him always asking questions. 

I discovered over time, the questions were less about his curiosity than my development. He wanted me to think. Think about where I was headed, why I wanted it, and how I intended to get it. He did the same thing in business reviews. And these questions would create heated discussions among our team. The result was a thoroughly challenged and discussed strategy. One we all contributed to and believed in. And all he did was ask questions. 

I was 28 when I met Jim.

I was responsible for our products and customers. I had a team of thirty people. All, like me, were young and ambitious. We were there to create and learn. Most of us didn’t know what we wanted. We did know we wanted to grow and advance. To where we weren’t certain. More money and responsibility were surely the measurements.

We thought we were so smart. Looking back, I realize we were fortunate to be in a market that was buying. This was the fertile ground for our professional growth. We were learning. And learning fast. The market demands were high. It had the need and the money. It wanted to be served and satisfied. This was our shot at success. We all knew it. And the other guys were right on our heels. This was the razor’s edge. The competition kept all of us sharp. 

As the leader of this team, I needed incredible energy, commitment, and wisdom. I had energy and commitment. What I lacked was the wisdom. That’s where Jim Porter stepped in.

Jim Porter believed in me.

When someone believed in me, it was a spiritual event in my life. There was a supernatural transformation that began the moment I internalized this belief. It was a rare moment in time for me. It happened just a few times in my life. I became aware of this phenomenon after my father died.

It was February 1980. I felt terrible for my mother who said, “I pine for him.” I never heard this expression before or since. But the sadness and tears were real after almost 50 years of marriage. And I felt that sadness, too. It was new and unexpected. But the thought I had at the time that never left me was this, “My backstop of support is gone. My father is dead.” 

I knew implicitly that no matter what happened in life, my father would always be there for me. He believed in me. But now he was gone. My next thought was, “It is now all up to me.” 

Looking back, I believe this conclusion was not quite right. Yes, it was now all up to me...ultimately. But I was not alone. God put people in my life who would be there for me if I let them in. People like my sister, Janet. Richard Brock, my first mentor and partner in business. Kathy, my wife. Ray, my father-in-law. Jim Porter. Sterling Williams. Tony Vickers. Bill Leonard, who mentors me in my walk with Jesus. Regi Campbell, who stood by me as a dear friend and brother in Christ.

And as I write this, I realize the list goes on.

They are all wise people who loved and believed in me.

People I can absolutely count on to be there for me when “it” happens. Whatever “it” is. And it will happen. But will I let them in? They are there and available. Am I allowing them to do what they are willing and capable of doing in my life?

I liked it when people gave me approval. But I’m not talking about approval or encouragement people. I’m talking about the people who chose to believe in me. This is a much higher level of commitment. These people were put in my life by God. He has a plan. He carries it out by putting just the right person in my life at just the right time. Do I recognize them? Am I humble enough to be aware? Will I let them in? Will I submit to them? Will I be vulnerable and share my need for them?

When I did these things, when I let them in, a spiritual transformation took place. I gained confidence. I learned. I matured. I had value. I was alive.

Thanks, Jim, for always being there for me. I thank God for putting you in my life.