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The Value of People

I'm a numbers person and have been for as long as I can remember.  I've often said that 2 + 2 = 4 every day that we went to math, but in English class, people could interpret the same book or poem in a different way and both be right.  That often confused me so I liked sticking with my good ole trusty numbers which could be why I ended up working in banking.

Numbers are important, but sometimes we have to look beyond the numbers.  I am absolutely blessed to work where I do.  The company I work for, like many during the recession, had some trying times and fortunately the memories (hopefully not the lessons) of those trying times are slowly fading away.  During those years, our management team had to focus a great deal on the numbers.  But they never lost sight of what truly matters to the operations of a business, its employees.  Yes, numbers were tight, raises were non-existent for a time, and stress levels were high.  But there was and still is a compassion from working for a community bank that I don't believe many businesses have. 

There is a fine line walked between being open and available to serve our customers and to protect the health and safety of our employees, especially in weather like we had yesterday and the likely icy conditions for today.  We know we must be open to serve customers because they are more than customers to the bank.  Let's be honest, yes numbers matter, but it's not all about the numbers.  In a small bank and small communities it's about customer service.  Do we make mistakes?  Yes.  Is every customer always happy?  No.  Do we always get it right?  No.  But guess what, we are PEOPLE who live in your community who are doing the best job that we can.  We are not corporate trained "robots" with no compassion or understanding.

In Acts 16:16-24, Paul and Silas risked their freedom to free slave girl from oppressive owners and being demon-possessed.  They didn't have to risk themselves to save this girl, they could have ignored her and kept traveling along.  But they put their mission (job) on hold, risked ridicule and imprisonment to save a young girl who was created in the image of God.

What do we value today?  Is it status, power, success, money, etc.?  Or do we truly value people?  Are we willing in our daily lives on the street or at work to stop what we are doing and help others?  Do we heave a mentality more focused on helping others or helping ourselves?  Our time is often our most precious asset so slow down today, really talk to people, engage, be in the moment regardless of who you're talking to.  "All people, no matter their age, ethnicity, or social status, are equally valuable to God.  Therefore, all human life should be respected, valued, and loved."

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