what people are saying about bill butterworth · in dealing with the challenges of the fast paced...
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What People Are Saying About Bill Butterworth:
• John Maxwell, President, The John Maxwell Company: BillButterworthknowshowtocommunicate!Hebringspassionandexpertisetohispresentations.Heknowshowtodeliverthegoods.It’smypleasuretorecommendhimtoyou.
• Chuck Swindoll, Chancellor Emeritus, Dallas Theological Seminary: My long-term friend and trusted colleague, BillButterworthhasagenuinelove,adesiretostrengthenrelationshipsanddelightfulskillsincommunicating.Iampleasedtorecommendhimtoyou.
• Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Community Church: It’s apleasuretorecommendBillButterworthtoyou.Healwaysdeliversthegoods.Hishumor,authenticityandlovearecontagious.
• Lee Strobel, Author, The Case for Christ: BillButterworthisoneofthemostcaptivatingandeffectivecommunicatorsI’veeverseen.Iappreciatehiswinsomestyleandpractical,insightfulteaching.
• Bill Hybels, Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church: BillButterworthisararecommunicator.Hereachespeopleofanyageorstageinlife.Hiswarmthandhumormakeeventhemostdifficultchallengeseasytoaccept.Heworkshiswayrightintoyourheart.
• Craig Barnes, President, Princeton Theological Seminary: IknowofonlyonepersonbetterattellingparablesthanBillButterworthandthat’stheSaviortowhomBillisclearlydevoted.Thisbookisimportant,notonlyforitsrelevantcontent,butalsoasamodelofeffectivecommunication.
• Jud Wilhite, Pastor, Central Christian Church: IappreciateBill’sstyle—simple,withoutbeingsimplistic.Tothepoint,butnotattheexpenseofhumor,witandgrace.
• Rene Schlaepfer, Pastor, Twin Lakes Church: Bill’swriting isexactlythesameasBill’sspeaking:veryfunny,verysmart,andvery,veryrelevant.Billhasawayofsneakinguponyou—oneminuteyou’reinhystericsoverhisdescriptionofachildhoodfauxpas,andthenextminuteyou’rerealizingalife-transformingspiritualinsight.
• John Pearson, Management Consultant: BillButterworthisalwayspoignant,positiveandpowerful.Witandwisdomareatitagaininthisveryspecialbook.
• Gene Appel, Senior Pastor, Eastside Christian Church: BillButterworthisamastercommunicatorandhumorist.Billhaslivedeachwordof thisbook.Youwillfind life ineverypage.HehaspositivelyinfluencedmylifeandIknowheisabouttoinfluenceyoursaswell.
• Jamie Rasmussen, Pastor, Scottsdale Bible Church: Thetrickforanygreatcommunicatoristodothreethings:helpusunderstandtruth,getusfiredupabouttruth,andthenhelpustoliveoutthetruth.BillButterworthisamasterofallthree!
• Walt Disney Company: Wewereimpressedwithhispresentationstyle, content, and his ability to connect with the audience.The responsewe received from our convention attendeeswasoverwhelmingly positive.He is an outstanding communicator,versatileinhisapproachandcontent.
• Microsoft:Billprovidedourteamwith“down-to-earth”solutionsindealingwiththechallengesofthefastpacedsoftwareindustry.Hediditwithhumorandeasytorememberprinciplesthatkeptthegroupengagedthroughoutthesession.
• Ford Motor Company:Yourpresentationwasabigsuccess!Theentiremanagementteamstatedhowmuchtheyenjoyedit.Welookforwardtohearingyouagain.
• American Express:Yourremarkswerechallengingandtheaudiencewasveryresponsive.Inahardchargingbusinessenvironmentitisdifficulttomaintainperspectiveandyourtalkwasveryappropriateinthisregard.Welookforwardtoarepeatopportunityinthefuture.
• Bank of America:Judgingfromtheaudienceresponseaswellasthefeedbackwehaveheard,youhita“HomeRun!”Yourmixofhumorandmessagewasjustwhatwehadhopedfor.
• Daimler Chrysler:Thankyouformakingthis thebestmeetingwe’ve had! Youwere terrific. Youwere able to bring joy andlaughtertoagroupofseniorexecutives.Iwouldrecommendyourpresentations toanygroupseeking to improvemoraleor simplydevelopkeymember’sleadershipskills.
• Young President’s Organization:Bill’spresentationsaredynamite!Hehastherareabilitytorelaxhisaudiencewithhumor,followedbyapowerful,rivetingmessagedrivenhomeforcefully.
Also by Bill Butterworth
The Short List
Mountain in My Rearview Mirror
Balancing Work and Life
Building Successful Teams
New Life After Divorce
New Life After Divorce Workbook
The Promise of the Second Wind
Butterworth Takes A Vacation
Butterworth Gets His Life Together
When Life Doesn’t Turn Out Like You Planned
The Peanut Butter Family Home School
My Kids Are My Best Teachers
Peanut Butter Families Stick Together
©2015byBillButterworth.Allrightsreserved.
PublishedbyRedemptionPress,POBox427,Enumclaw,WA98022TollFree(844)2REDEEM(273-3336)
RedemptionPressishonoredtopresentthistitleinpartnershipwiththeauthor.Theviewsexpressedorimpliedinthisworkarethoseoftheauthor.RedemptionPressprovidesourimprintsealrepresentingdesignexcellence,creativecontentandhighqualityproduction.
Nopart of this publicationmay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, ortransmittedinanywaybyanymeans—electronic,mechanical,photocopy,recording,orotherwise—withoutthepriorpermissionofthecopyrightholder,exceptasprovidedbyUSAcopyrightlaw.
ISBN13:978-1-63232-403-0
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:2015938656
To the entire Butterworth family,Who influence me everyday
Contents
Introduction:TheCaptivationofEverydayInfluence . . . . . . . . . . .xi
Chapter1:TheCallingofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Chapter2:TheCommencementofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . 31Chapter3:TheConversationsofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . . 43Chapter4:TheChoirofEverydayInfluence..................55Chapter5:TheCollegeofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Chapter6:TheComponentsofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . . . 79Chapter7:TheConsciousnessofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . . 89Chapter8:TheConsistencyofEverydayInfluence . . . . . . . . . . . 103Chapter9:TheCircumstancesofEverydayInfluence . . . . . . . . . 113Chapter10:TheCaringofEverydayInfluence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123Chapter11:TheCompanionsofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . 133Chapter12:TheCelebrationofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . . 145
Conclusion:TheCulminationofEverydayInfluence. . . . . . . . . . 159
AbouttheAuthor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
=
xiii
The Captivation of Everyday Influence
influence
in·flu·ence
ˈinflo͝oəns
NOUN
The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, orbehaviorofsomeoneorsomething.
* * *
Likeme,hisnamewasBill.Hepossessedawinsomelaugh,kindeyes,andasenseofhumor
thatpeoplefoundcontagious.Hecouldalsowigglehisears.Butotherthanthat,hewasmostlyavanillaspeckinaspumoniworld.HegrewupinarowhouseindowntownPhiladelphiainthe1920’s
and1930’s.Asa result,hehadhis shareofexperiencesbeingraisedduringtheGreatDepression.HisbrotheroncetoldmethatassoonasBillwasoldenough,hewouldrunoutoftheredbrickinnercityschoolbuildingeverydayat3toworkatthelocalcornergrocerystore.HisoneindulgencewaspopularBigBandmusicandsomehowheworked
=IntroductIon
Everyday Influence
xiv
outawaytoborrowanaltosaxophonefromhispublicschool.Classes,job,homework,practicethesax—thatwaslifeinhisworld.Peersinhisneighborhoodwerenotexpectedtogoontocollege,andneitherwasBill.ThefactthathereceivedahighschooldiplomawasmetwithasmuchprideasaPh.D.intoday’sworld.Inthosegrowingupyears,notmuchwassaidaboutnotenoughfoodtolasttheweek,ornotenoughhoursgivenhisdadathisplaceofemployment.Thesestatementsweretrue,butjustnotspoken.ThankstopeoplelikeCorneliusVanderbilt,JayGould,andAndrew
Carnegie,railroadswereamajor,ifnotthemajorindustryintheyearswhentheunlikelyinfluentialpersonnamedBillwasgrowingup.ButinstarkcontrastwithCorny,Jay,andAndy,Bill’sworkontherailroadwasatamuchdifferentlevel.Hislife’sworkcouldn’tbecharacterizedasrailroadownership,norwasitrailroadleadership,norwasitrailroadmanagement.Billwasclassicbluecollar,workinginthefreightdivisionoftherailroadwhosenameyouknowevenifyoudon’tknowrailroads.Ifyou’veeverplayedMonopoly,youknowtheReadingRailroad.Billworkedforthemfor41years.Hisentirefamilyoforiginwasallabouttherailroad,fromthetipoftheircowcatchertotherearplatformoftheircaboose.HisfatherwasanelectricianfortheReading,andhisfather-in-lawwasaReadingengineer,steeringthemightyIronHorsedownthecoldsteeltrails.Bill’sbrotherandthewomanwhowouldbecomeBill’swifesoldticketstopassengersattheReadingTerminalonMarketStreet,justacoupleofblocksfromCityHallindowntownPhiladelphia.Blue-collarworkontherailroadwashardwork,as seen inBill’s
callousedhands.Itwasoutdoorwork,eveninthedeadofwinter,asseeninBill’sruddycheeks.LikemanyAmericancompaniesintheearly1940’s,BillwaspromisedhisjobontherailroadwouldbeheldforhimwhenhereturnedfromhisstintinthearmyduringWorldWarII.Andtheykepttheirpromise.Whenaskedtodescribehismilitaryservice,Billwascharacteristically
amanoffewwords.“IdroveatankinNorthAfrica,”hewouldanswersuccinctly.
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Introduction: The Captivation of Everyday Influence
“Didyoueverseecombat?”“No.But I did see Eisenhower once.”Hewould laugh, give a
lightningfastwink,andawiggleoftheears.MoreimportantthanseeingEisenhower,whenBillgotbackfrom
thewar,BillsawCaroline.ShesoldticketsrightnexttoBill’sbrother,Joe.Theymetin1950,marriedin1951,andhadababyboyin1952andababygirlin1958.Inmyriadways,BillwastheclassicfatheroftheBabyBoomerfamily.Itwasallaboutmakingsurethewifeandkidshadfoodtoeat,clothestowear,andaroofovertheirheads.Therejustwasn’ttimeinthedayforconversations,orlongwalks,orevencheeringkidsonattheirLittleLeaguegames.Otherthingsweremoreimportant.Billneverhadmuchtosay,buttomakemattersmorecomplicated,
hewasdiagnosedwithcanceronhisvocalchordswhenhewasinhisforties.Thegoodnewswastheywereabletocutoutallthecancer.Thebadnewsisthattheytookafairamountofhisvocalchordsduringthesurgery,sofortherestofhislifehewouldspeakinaraspysoundingvoicethattooksomegettingusedtoandwasamajorsourceofembarrassmentinhislife.Ifhewasamanoffewwordsbeforethecancer,afterhewasjustaboutwordless.Billbreathedairthroughthree-quartersofthetwentiethcentury,
from1921till1996.Inanodd,almostmacabrestatementofsimilarity,hediedat75,justlikehisfather,hismother,hisoldersisterandhisyoungerbrother.Iknewhimfor44yearsandhewasthemostinfluentialpersoninmylife.Billwasmyfather.
* * *
ItwasThanksgivingDay1960.Iwaseightyearsold.A crisp late autumnmorning, Iwas bundled up inmywinter
wardrobe—plaidflannel shirt,worncardigansweater,darkcorduroypants,woolsocks,scuffeduploafers,alltoppedoffbyawintercoat
Everyday Influence
xvi
andhatwithflapstocoverone’sears.Inthiscoldweathergarb,twoofmythreemostdistinguishingphysicalcharacteristicswereconcealed.Iwasoverweightformyage,butitwascloakedundertheamplewintercoat.AndIhadwhiteblondehair,completelyhiddenbythehatmadefamousbytheRussianarmy.Allthatwasleftasdistinctwasthepairofeyeglasses,jet-blackframes,andmagnifiedlenses.ClarkKentmeetsMr.Magoo.“YourfatherworksonThanksgivingsohecanhaveChristmasday
off,”mymomexplainedtome,asshedouble-checkedtoseeifmysweaterwasbuttonedandmyjacketzipped.ItwouldhavebeenunthinkabletogetthatmuchverbiageoutofDad.“Therailroadrunseverydayoftheyear,sowearethankfulhehasenoughsenioritytogetDecember25thoff.”Inoddedinsilentagreement,butinmymindtherewasabigger
storythanDadhavingtoworkonThanksgiving.Dadhasinvitedmeto go to work with himonthisThanksgiving
holiday.Mostofhiscoworkershavethedayoff,soitwillbeaquieterversion
ofadayontherailroad.Ican’thonestlyexplainthemotivationbehindmyfatherinvitingme.Iwanttosaythatitwasbecausehewantedsomequalitytimewithhisonlyson.ButitwouldbemuchmorelikelythatDadwastoldtobabysittheboybymyMomsoshecouldgetalltheextratasksaccomplishedforourextendedfamilyThanksgivingdinnersetforthatafternoonwithalltheuncles,aunts,cousins,andgrandparentsarrivingatourhouseaboutthesametimetherailroadmenwouldbeheadinghome.Isaidgood-byetomymotherandwanderedoutthebackdoorfrom
whichmydadhadalreadydeparted.Hewasinourcar,a1957FordFairlane500,alreadywarmingitupforourdrivefromthesuburbstothedowntownriverbank.Excitedlyhoppingintothefrontpassengerseat,IwassurprisedtohearmyDadactuallymakeacomment.“YourmotherandIlistentoWFILontheradio.”(ThiswasafactIalreadyknewsinceitwaswheretheradiowassetatthehouseaswell—560 on the dial, relax awhile with WFIL. Philadelphia. WFIL—asthejinglewent.)
xvii
Introduction: The Captivation of Everyday Influence
“IlistentoUnclePhilsyonthewaytoworkandthenIlistentoWeeWillieWebberonthewayhome.”Radiowasdifferentbackthen.Todayitseemslikeyouroptionsareall-talkasinTalkRadio,orallmusic,asinaTop40stationwhereavoiceonlyinterruptseverytwentyminuteswiththecalllettersofthestation.In1960UnclePhilsyandWeeWillieWebberwerediscjockeys—guyswhoplayedrecordsovertheradioandinterspersedbetweensongswittybanter,charmingconversation,andgrandentertainmentoftheirown.ItonlytookafewminutesformetodecodewhatIjustheardfrommyfather—therewillbenoconversationsinthecar.Butjustsittingnexttohiminthefrontseatwasexhilarating.Iwasdoinglifewithhim.Iwascontentwithmycar-mates,FrankSinatraandNat‘King’Cole—andofcourse,UnclePhilsy.It’sokay.Iamabouttospendthedaywithmyfatherathisplaceof
employment—anaddressofintriguethatIhadheardonlybitsandpiecesaboutovertheyears.It’sthefreightoffice—theplacewhereDadandallhisrailroadbuddieswouldcongregateearlyinthemorningandattheendofeachworkdaytoswapwarstories,bothliterallyandfiguratively.Dadhad recently beenpromoted fromCar Inspector toChiefCarInspector,andtheadditionalresponsibilitiescouldbesummarizedinthreewords—more paper work.Sothisofficehadbecomeanewhomeformyfather,althoughtheuseoftheword‘home’isquitegenerous,tobesure.“Followme,Pal,”Dadinstructed.(Henevercalledme‘Son’—it
wasalways‘Pal’).Headded,“Andstayclose.”Weclimbedaflightofrickety stairs inanold, two-storyofficebuildingmadeof redbrick,fadedofcourse,aftermanyyearsofexistence.Atthetopofthestairs,weturnedrightandwalkedintotheoffice.Itwasacompactroomwithonlyenoughsquarefootageforalargewoodendeskinthecenterandasmallerdeskofftothesideinacorner.Thewindowshadesweredrawnshutanditwasobviousthatevenonprettydays,onewouldn’twanttoopenthewindowstoenjoythebreeze.ThesmellofthemightyDelawareinthosedayswouldendthatoptionimmediately.Theofficewascold,withatemperamentalheater,soitwouldbealittlebitoftimebeforeIshedthewintercoatinfavorofjustthesweater.
Everyday Influence
xviii
Granted,itwasThanksgiving,buttakeallthewarmthandloveandjoythatwaswaitinginthatsuburbandiningroomsettingbackhomeandreplaceitwithanofficereflectingyearsofneglect.Desks,chairs,andofficesuppliesmadeitlook25yearsolderthanitreallywas.Dustwaseverywhere.Evendirtandgrimeincertainspots.Echoesoffamilialloveandjoywerereplacedbythesolitarysoundofawallclock,workingawaythesecondswithitsceaselesspassingofthependulum.Eventhoughnoonehadoccupiedtheofficeforthelasttwelvehours,itstillhadthedistinctsmellofcigarsmokeandiftherewasanydoubt,therewasagrayhazethatfloatedatceilingleveltooverarchandunderscorethefact.Mydaddidn’tsmokesothisfragrancewasawholenewnotionformynostrils.Itwas1960,butthisrundownbuildinginthePortRichmondsectionofPhiladelphiafeltlikealocalerightoutofaDickensnovelacenturybeforewiththeonlyadditionbeingelectricity.Itwastobejustthetwoofusfortheentireofficevisit.Asifheforgot
thatIcamealongwithhim,Dadimmediatelytookhisplaceatthelargedesk,sighedasighandbeganaddressingthemountainofformsthatarosefromhisworn,fadeddeskblotter.Istoodsilently,watchinghimwork,wonderingifthiswasgoingtobehowthedayunfolded—Dadworkingatthebigdesk,mestandingbysilentlyinabitofaconfusedstate.That’swhenhelookedupandsmiledatme.Silently,hepointedhis
fingertowardsthesmallerdeskinthecorner,asifIshouldunderstandwhatapointingfingermeant.Iturnedmyattentiontoawoodendeskonlybigenoughtohavedrawersgoingdowneachsideandanopeninginthemiddleforanadulttoplacetwolegswhensittingatit.Acoldmetallampsattotheleft,afixturethatlookedoldenoughtohavecomefromEdison’spersonalcollection.Atincanofsortswasplacedontherightside,filledwithpencils,brownincolorandeachonestampedingoldwiththewordsREADING COMPANY No. 2.Butitwasthemachineinthemiddleofthedesktopthattookmybreathaway.Thecenterpieceofthesmalldeskwasthelargecontraptionplaced
uponit.Ihadseenthesemachinesontelevision,butthiswasmyfirst
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Introduction: The Captivation of Everyday Influence
opportunitytoseeoneinperson.Almostcubicalinshape,itwasamassofmetalthatfeaturedfourrowsofkeysthesizeofpennies,eachwithadifferentletter,number,orsymbolemblazoneduponit.Itwasblack,withtheexceptionofninelettersandaroyalcrestthatunfoldedalongthebackstripofblackmetal.UnderwooditreadandIwasenthralledtogetmyfirstlookatatypewriter.Dad ledmeover to the smalldesk,pulledout theequally small
chairandwiththatgesture,hesilentlyinvitedmetositdown.Onceinthechair,heleanedovermetoinsertasinglepieceofpaperintothetypewriter,gettingitintopositiontobegintyping.Boyinchair,paperintypewriter,allsystemswere‘go.’Withthatpreambleinplace,mydadutteredfourwords.“You might like this…….” healmostwhisperedinhissoft,raspytone.Andwiththatteaser,hesilentlyreturnedtohisdesk,eightfeet
away,andbeganpouringoverapileofpaperworkthathadmultipliedovertheweeksofneglectduetoweightiermattersoutintherailroadyard.Without the need of any coaxing, I began pecking away at the
typewriterkeys,eachpecksoundinglikeasmallfirecrackerexplodingillegallyinthebackyardontheFourthofJuly.Strong,boldblacklettersbegantoappearonthewhitepaper,mostinperfectorder,butafew,likethesmallletter‘a’,wouldlandalittlehigheronthelinethantheotherletters,givingitaplaceofuniquedistinction.Myfirstorderofbusinesswastorecordhowfunthistypewritingreallywas:
I am with Daddy at work.I am typing on a typewriter.I am having a really good time.
Soonthatstaccatopopwouldcreateabeautifullydescriptivesetofsentences,beingreproducedonmultiplesheetsofpaper,exceptthesecopieswereinletterform.
Everyday Influence
xx
Dear Mommy,I am with Daddy at work.I am typing on a typewriter.I am having a really good time.
Love, Billy
Thiswentonforhours.Lettersweretypedtoalltheaunts,uncles,grandparentsandcousinsthatwewouldbeseeinglaterthatafternoonatThanksgivingdinner.Extraepistleswerereproducedtoallmyfriendsintheneighborhood.AsIwasworkingthroughthethirtynamesofthekidsinmythirdgradeclass,Dadinterruptedmypublishingendeavorswiththesuddenpronouncement,“Okay,Pal,it’stimetogohome.”Wherehadthetimegone?Iwascaptivatedbythewholeexperience.
IhadbecomesoenamoredbytheunbelievableUnderwoodthattheentiredaywasspentsittingbeforeit,peckingaway,oneindexfingerfromeachhand,chroniclingmyadventureasifIhadjustscaledKilimanjaroorwontheNobelPeacePrize.Wehadevenworkedthroughlunch,amajoraccomplishmentfora
boywhodidallhisclothesshoppinginthedepartmentmarked‘husky.’Inthatsliceofofficetime,inthatmustysmellingroomwiththe
settleddustandthesoundofthependulum,Ihaddiscoveredsomethingmorethanatypewriter.Ihaddiscoveredwriting.Today,IsitinfrontoftheUnderwood’sgreat-great-greatgrandchildandpeckawayatthecraftIhavecometoadore.Perhapsmy lifewouldhave gonedifferently ifmydadhadnot
invitedmetogotoworkwithhimthatThanksgivingof1960.Eventhoughinretrospect,itappearstobethemostmundaneofconversations,seeminglywithoutanydeepmeaningwhatsoever,Iknowdifferently.Thatwasthedaymypassionforwritingwasfueled.Therewasalastingimpactresultingfromfoursimplesyllables.“You might like this . . . .”
Influence arrives in the simplest of ways.
21
The Calling of Everyday Influence
calling
call·ing
‘kôliNG
NOUN
Astrongurgetowardaparticularwayoflifeorcareer;avocation:those who have a special calling to minister to others’ needs.
* * *
IzzywasLaureltoBart’sHardy.Averitablewispofaman,Izzycouldn’thavebeenoverfive
feet tall andhecertainlydidn’tweighmore thanonehundredpounds.Agehadnotbeenkindtothisgentle littlemaninhisearlysixties,asevidencedbythegrayhairandthemyriadwrinklesdisplayedonanyuncoveredareaofskin.Asmuchashetriedtowalkerect,hisshouldersdroopedandhehadtheslightesthintofahunchonhisback.Hiseyesightwasfailing,necessitatingthethicklenssurroundedbythelargeblackframes.
=chapter 1
Everyday Influence
22
EverydayIspentwithhim,heworetheidenticaloutfit;aplainwhitet-shirt,brownslacks,brownsocksandbrownshoesthatlookedmorelikeslippersthananyothershoestyle.Idon’tthinkitwasthesameshirtandpantseveryday,butthenagain,Icannotbecertain.Without question, themost distinguishing characteristic ofmy
friend Izzywasbetweenhisnose andhis chin. Izzy’smouthwas soattentiongettingforthesimplereasonthatIzzyhadnoteeth.Tobemoreprecise,hehadteeth,buthechosetokeepthemwrappedinapieceofwaxpaper,safelytuckedintherightfrontpocketofhisbrownslacks.Besideseating,hemadeitclearthattheteethwereonlytobeusedforspecialoccasions.Asmanypeopledowhohavenoteeth,Izzyhadanervoushabitofalwaysgivingtheimpressionhewaschewingonsomething.Itwasquitethejuxtapositiontoobservethistinymanappearingtobeconstantlyeating.DearsweetIzzycouldn’thavetakeninmorethansevenhundredcaloriesonanygivenday.OntheoppositeendofthefoodchainwasBart.Thismancould
take in sevenhundredcalories inamatterofminutes.Stated in thesimplestofterms,BartwasthebiggestmanIhadevermetuptothatpointinmylife.TosayhewasenormousislikesayingMichaelJordanhadagoodrunwiththeroundball.IneverhadthecouragetoaskhimhowmuchheweighedbutIwouldguesshewasnear fourhundredpounds.Hewasinhisearlyfifties,withawaveofbrownhairthathecombedstraightbackalongwithahairproductthatkeptitinplace.Piercinggreeneyesandakindsmile,Barthadoneofthosefaceswherethechinhaddisappeared.Insteadofalittlebitofajutprotrudingfromthebottomofhishead,likemostofuswithachin,Bart’sextraweightcausedhisfacetodropdowntohisbodyinastraightline.Itlookedlikeasculptorhadchiseledoutthehead,butneverbotheredfinishingtheprojectasthefacegrewoutofanuntouchedblockofmarble.LikeIzzy,Bartworethesamethingeveryday;plainwhitet-shirt,
slacks,socksandshoes.UnlikeIzzy,theslackswereblueandtheshoesweremorelikeloafers.AlsounlikeIzzy,Barthadteeth.Mostofthem,
23
The Calling of Everyday Influence
anyway.Whenhesmiledtherewasagaportwothatbecameapparent,buttherewasreallynothingaboutBart’sfacethatwasallthatnoteworthy.Itwashisbodythatwasnoteworthy.Thatmassivetrunkthatwas
attachedtotworelativelyshortskinnylegswouldmakeeventhemostpolitepersondoadoubletake.HisstomachwouldhangoverhistrouserstosuchadegreethatitlookedlikeBartwascarryingtriplets.Thet-shirtdidlittletodisguisewhatwasgoingon.Itwasthesortofappearancemydearmotherusedtodescribeas‘abeerbelly.’Shehadnoideahowrightshewas.Bart,byhisownadmission,livedeachdayforfive-o-clock.Punch
histimecard,getinhistruckandcruisedownthestreettotheclosestbar.Anunmarriedman,Bartwouldspendhisentireeveningsittingonthatmetalbarstoolwiththeredvinylseat.Ifbarstoolscouldtalk,thatredonewouldhavemoanedinpainunderthemassiveweightofhis favoritecustomer.SomehowBartwouldgethimselfhome,crashintobedandmanagetomakeittoworkthenextmorningintimetopunchinat8a.m.“Whatdoyoudoallnightatthatbar?”Ionceaskedhim.“Drinkbeer,”wasthetwo-wordreply.Thenhewouldadd,“Busch
beer.”Hehadauniquewayofpronouncingtheword‘Busch’foritalwayscameoutsoundinglike‘Booosh’asheelongatedthesoundofthe‘ooo’s.I’mnotsurehowmuchBartwouldeat,butIcouldtellyouwithout
fearofcontradictionthathecoulddrinkmorebeerthantheaveragethreeguyscombined.Mostlikelyitwashisextratonnagethatallowedhimtodrinkasmuchashedidwithoutthecorrespondingconsequencesoffallingfacefirstonthefloorblindstinkingdrunk.WhichbringsusbacktoIzzy.Thesetwomen,BartandIzzy,workedtogetheratthesamefactory
in their hometown ofMiami, Florida. Bartwas the foreman in adepartmentthatincludedonlytwootherworkers.OneworkerwasIzzy.Theotherworkerwasme.EveryMondaythroughFridaythethreeofuswouldstandatourmachinesdoingourwork(I’llexplainourworkand themachines as the story continues to develop). Imanned the
Everyday Influence
24
middlemachine,withBarttomyrightandIzzytomyleft.ThetwoofthemwouldconversewitheachotherasifIdidn’tevenexist.Iwasacollegestudentatthetime,sotherewasahugeagegapthatthetwoofthemdidn’twanttoattempttoclosewithconversation.Buttomakeitevenworse,IwasaBible CollegestudentandBartfoundthatfacttobeespeciallyoffensive,sinceheconcludedIwaslookingdownonhimandjudginghimforhislustformassivequantitiesofalcoholicbeverage.Thiswasnotthetruthwhatsoever,butitwasthewayBartsawitandIhadtolivewithit.AnotherpartofthereasonBartwouldconversewithIzzyrightover
myheadwasduetothenatureoftheconversation.Everydialog,forjustabouteverydayIworkedthere,couldbesummarizedinonekeyinvitation:“Izzy,”Bartwouldshoutoverthenoiseofthemachine,“youneed
tocomedrinkingwithmetonight.YouneedtodrinksomeBooosh.”Izzy’sresponsewasalwaysthesame.“Nottonight,Bart,”hewould
saywhilegumminghisinvisiblefood.Thisconversationwentonfordays,weeks,andmonths,untilthe
fatefuldayIzzysaidyestoBart’sdailyinvitation.Idon’tknowwhyIzzysaidyes,justlikeIdon’tknowwhyhehad
refuseduptothispoint.Yes,Izzywasakindman,butIwouldnotgosofarastosayhewasamanofstrongcharacterorself-discipline.IfIhadtoguess,IwouldsurmisethatIzzydidn’tgodrinkingbecausehefeltlikehedidn’thavethemoneyforit.Wewereallworkinghourlylaboratminimumwage,sonoonewasgettingrichatthisjob.ButforsomeunexplainedreasonIzzyrelentedandjoinedBartatthebarforafewbeers.Itgoeswithout saying that the innocent,youngandnaïveBible
Collegestudentdidnotjointhesetwo.Iwasn’teveninvited.ButIdidobservewhathappenedthenextmorninganditwasquiteevidentthatwhathadtakenplace thenightbeforewashavingan impactonthemorningafter.
25
The Calling of Everyday Influence
ApparentlyIzzynotonlyaccompaniedBarttothebar,buthealsotriedtokeepupwithhimbydrinkingasmuchbeerasBartdowned.Areyoudoingthemath?Aonehundred-poundersittingnexttoafourhundredpounderpoundingdownthebrews.Izzywasthreesheetstothewindinnotime.BartgotIzzyhomewithoutanydamage,butIzzy’sbehavioratwork
thefollowingmorningwasnotassimple.Letmetellyoualittlebitaboutourworkatthisfactorysoyou’ll
fullyappreciateIzzy’sfallfromgrace.Thethreeofusworked ina factory thatmadewallets.Notrich
leatherwallets,butplastic,vinylwallets.Thekindofwalletsthataresoldat tourist trapsas souvenirs, especially if theyaregold stampedwiththelogoofthetouristattraction.Thiswasalltakingplaceintheearly1970’sinMiami.WaltDisneyWorldwasstillayearortwoaway,sothesmallerattractionsinMiamiwerestilldrawingcrowds.PeopleflockedtoParrot Jungletoseethebirdsofmanycolorsperformtricksandsitonyourshoulderforyourphototobetaken.TouristsstilllineduptovisitMonkey Junglewhereyoucouldseechimpanzeesparticipateinshowsthatwouldgetyoulaughingsohard,you’dbeintears.Andofcourse,itwasalsobeforeSea WorldsoavisittotheSeaquariumwouldentertainyouwithwhales,sharksandthoseadorableMiamidolphins.Alltheseplacesneededsouvenirwalletsandthat’swhereourfactory
cametotherescue.Largerollsofvinylwouldbecutintorectangularpieces,whichinturnwouldbeheat-sealedtogethertocreatethewalletitself.Thewalletwasthentakentothegoldstamperfortheall-importantlogoofabird,amonkey,orafish.Bart,IzzyandIaccomplishedstepone—thecuttingofthevinylfrom
thelargerollsintothesmallrectangles.Todothis,eachofusstoodattheendofalong,narrowwoodentable.Eachoneofthemwasaboutfivefeetwideandabouttwentyfeetlong.Wewouldplacetherollofvinylatthefarendofthetableandrolloutapiecethatwastwentyfeetlong.Withaboxcutter,wewouldslicethevinylfreefromtheroll.Thenwewouldrepeatthatprocess,placinganothertwenty-footpieceofvinyl
Everyday Influence
26
ontopofthepreviousone,cuttingitaswell.Wewoulddothistwentytimes,sothattheendproductwasastretchofvinyltwentyfeetlong,fivefeetwideandtwentypiecesdeep.We’dstaplethesheetstogetheronthetwooutsideedgesandwewerereadyforthenextstep.Atourendofthelongnarrowtablewasalargemachine.Madeof
steel,thecentralfeaturewasahugesteelplatethathungaboutafootabovethetable.Abovetheplateweretworedbuttons,abouteighteeninchesapart,perfectlyset,oneforyourrighthandandtheotherforyourleft.Usingafingerfrombothofyourhands,bypressingtheredbuttonsthelargesteelplatewouldcrashdownwardtowardsthestackofvinyl.Onemorepieceofequipmentwasnecessarytofinalizethisprocess.
It’scalledadieandourswasmadefromaoneinchthickpieceofwood,cutintotheshapeofthepotentialwallet.Surroundingtheouteredgeofthediewasastripofmetal,abouttwoincheshigh.Thismeantthataninchofthesteelwasexposedaroundthewoodandthatinchwassharpenedsothatuponthesteelcrash,itwouldcutthevinylintothedesiredshape.Thethreeofuswouldeachplaceourdieonthevinyl,pressthe
buttons,make thecut, remove thecutvinyl intoapile toour rightandthemmovethedieintopositiontodoitagain.Andagain.Andagain.Untilalltwentyfeetofvinylwascutup.Andthenwe’drolloutanothertwentylayersanddoitalloveragain.Itwasprettymundaneworkwithoutthepossibilityofmuchthatcouldhappentomessitup.UntilthedayIzzycametoworkhungover.Themorningafterhis‘Booosh-athon’withBart,Izzycametowork
in aworld of hurt.His usually quiet demeanorwas interrupted byconstantmoansandgroans,indicativeofaguywithamajorheadache.Afterhepunchedin,hewentabouthisnormalroutine,whichbeganbyunfoldingthetwentylayersofvinylontohislongnarrowworkstation.Itwaswhat happened next that had the lasting impact on the
situation.PoorIzzy,headpounding,musclesaching,eyesblurredandfocusdistortedplacedthedieonthevinylforthefirstcutoftheday.Inthepainofthemoment,Izzyplacedthedieonthestackofvinyl,
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The Calling of Everyday Influence
unawarethatthediewasupside down.Fingersontheredbuttons,hepoundedthatdieintothevinyl,onlytodiscoverthatnocutshadbeenmade. Instead, thediehadbeen smashed, corrupted, contortedanddistorted.Thesharpedgesof theblade,previously intheshapeofarectanglewerenowinatangledwebofasymmetry.Immediatelyawareofhismistake,Izzyturnedthedieovertothe
positionitwassupposedtomaintainduringthecuttingprocess.Heplacedhisfingersontheredbuttons,pressedthemandcutthetwentysheetsofvinyl.But thedie, in itsmangledconditionwasno longercuttingperfectrectangles.ItwascuttingthevinylintoshapesthatlookedlikePicassoondrugs.Itbecameimmediatelyapparentthatitwasn’tjustthediethatwas
messedup.Thediewasimpactingthetwentysheetsofvinyl.Thedie’sshape,orinthiscasemisshape,becamethevinyl’sultimatecondition.Therewasnoescapingit.Thediewasimpactingandinfluencingthevinylbeneathit.Izzy appeareddazed and confused as hewatched themisshapen
sheetsofvinylstackup.Itdidn’ttakelongbeforeBartobservedwhatwashappeningandthescoldingbegan.“Izzy,you@#$%!”Bartscreamed.“Whatdidyoudotothedie?You’remakingamessoutofeverything!”There’snodoubtIzzywassorryforwhathadhappened,butthedamagehadalreadybeendone.Thevinylhadbeenirreparablyimpactedbytheirregulardie.Izzy,BartandIwillneverforgettheeventsofthatfatefulday.And
bytheway,somethingelseoccurredthatday…..….ItwasIzzy’sfirstdayasthefactory’sjanitor.
* * *
Weareall calledtoinfluence.Ifyouarebreathing,youhaveinfluence.Ifyou’vegotapulse,you’ve
gotimpact.Itdoesn’tmatterifyou’rebiglikeBartorsmalllikeIzzy.YoucanbeinperfectshapelikethediebeforebeingsmashedbyIzzy
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28
oryoucanbeasoutofshapeasanupsidedowndiethatcollidedwithasteelplate.Itdoesn’tmatter.Allofushavesignificantinfluenceinthelivesofallthepeoplewithwhomwehavecontact.Weallinfluenceothersjustlikethedieinfluencesthevinyl.This
symbolisnotoriginalwithme.Othershaveusedit,butofmostinteresttomeishowitisusedintheBible’sNewTestament.MyfirstexposuretothisconceptwaswhenIreadPeter’swordstohisfellowchurchleaders:
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
—1Peter5:1-3nasb(emphasisadded)
It’sthatword‘examples’thatcaughtmyattention.TheGreekwordis‘tupon’(rhymeswith‘coupon’)anditmeans‘themarkofablow,orastampstruckbyadie.’Peterisencouragingindividualstostampyourlifeonthelifeofothers,asadiewouldimpactapileofvinyl.OrlikethekeysofanUnderwoodManualTypewriterstrikethewhitepaperwiththeblacknessoftheink.It’sthesamewordthatourfriendDoubtingThomasusesafterChrist’sresurrectionwhenhesays:
So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
—John20:25nasb(emphasisadded)
IneffectThomassays,“UnlessIcanseetheimpressionleftbythenails,theimpact,theinfluencethosenailsmadeonHisbody,Iwillnotbelieve.”That’s‘tupon.’
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The Calling of Everyday Influence
Pauluses‘tupon’inhisencouragementtotheThessalonians:
So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
—FirstThessalonians1:7nasb(emphasisadded)
“Yourlifehasbeenimpactingothers,”Paulsays,“SoIampleasedthatit’sbeenapositiveimpact.”‘Tupon.’We’veallgotit,sowemightaswelluseitforgood.Perhaps
ahelpfulwaytoviewourinfluenceistoviewitaspartofourcalling.TheOxfordDictionarydefines‘calling’as‘astrongurgetowardsa
particularwayoflife.’Wetendtothinkofcallingassomethingoutoftheordinary,likeaperson’scalltoministry.But,Iwantyoutothinkoftheconceptofcallinginamuchbroadercontext.Weareall calledtoinfluencebecause,ashumanbeings,weareall
constantlyimpactingthosearoundus.Sometimesourinfluenceisgood,sometimesitisbad.Influenceisrarelyneutral.Sometimestheinfluenceisinbigchunks,butmosttimestheinfluenceisinsmall,bite-sizetidbits,andthereinlaysthesecretsauceforgreaterinfluentialeffectiveness.MosteverythingI’veeverreadonthesubjectofinfluencetendsto
focusonthebigchunks.Thesmalltidbitsaresometimesincluded,butalmostasanafterthought.Butthinkaboutthepeoplewhoinfluencedyourlife.Didn’tagreatdealofthatinfluenceoccurthroughacasualstatementinthemidstofaconversation?Ormaybeitwassomethingsmallthattheydidforyou,likepointyoutowardsatypewriterinthehopesthatyoumightlikeit.ItwastheartistAndyWarholwhomadepopulartheconceptthat
eachofuswill getourfifteenminutesof fame.That’s a fascinatingconcept,butit’ssimplynottrue.Thetruthisthatmostofuswon’tevengetfifteenminutes.Andthat’swhytheconceptofsmallersipsofinfluenceismorefar-reachingthanthebiggulp.SothisbookisfortheCEOofaFortune 500 company,butit’salso
forthefrontline,minimumwageworkeraswell.ThisisfortheSuper
Everyday Influence
30
BowlMVPandtheguywhogotcutfromtheseventhgradeteam.It’sforthevirtuosoplayingCarnegieHall,andthewomanwhogaveitherbestshot,butcametotheconclusionthecellowasnothercupoftea.It’sforyourstate’sGovernor,andthepersonwholostacloseelectionfortenthgradepresident.It’snotaboutarole.It’saboutaGod-givenlife.It’sforeverybodywhohasnotyetflat-lined.Smallstuffscreamssignificance.Influenceisforeveryone.Youhaveit,whetheryourealizeitornot.
Influence includes all of us.