September 23, 2005 7:36 PM
Mrs. Grossman and stewardship
Mrs. Grossman is a businesswoman who truly walks the walk.
If you read her story, which I just posted, you can see her conversion was real. But it's how she's lived her life since that sets the standard for anyone who wants to see their faith reflected in their daily life.
When Mrs. Grossman first moved her sticker factory 10 miles up the road from her hometown to Petaluma, she hired my daughter Jasmine - then 19 - to be the very first tour guide. Is that cool or what? I wrote this story for Focus on the Family's Clubhouse
Because Jasmine and a few other people I knew worked there, I knew how Mrs. Grossman treated her 120some employees - from the creative artists to the people who ran the presses to the dozen or so handicapped adults who all had meaningful work. She treated them with the utmost dignity and respect. Mrs. G. had daily prayer meetings for any employyees who wanted to attend. And each Thanksgiving, she put together a lavish dinner/dance party to honor her employees, stuffing gift bags for them and publicly recounting how God had worked in their business that year.
Living in Virginia, as I do now, I can see that might not seem like a big deal, but in northern California, where only 4% of the population attends church and Christianity is scorned, it said a lot about Mrs. Grossman that this was actually the whole reason for the dinner - to proclaim the goodness of God and give him thanks.
There was always live music, and interestingly, it was always the special needs adults who were first on the dance floor, breaking the ice for the more uptight "normal" people.
Mrs. Grossman's has grown even more since we left California three years ago. As I was remembering her today, I visited her website and found that she has posted this
Mission StatementWe exist through the grace of God and must be good stewards of the wealth.
We shall share with those less fortunate than us.
We will be honest in all our conduct.
Our product must consistently tell people that we have a purpose, have a positive world view and focus on our love of God, His creation and His people.
Our designs must express the core emotions of these people.
We hold growth in quality and human values above size and profit.
Our employees shall feel treasured with the knowledge that we care deeply about their personal condition.
Our vendors shall sense we are different in the way that we deal with them and show concern for their needs.
Our customers and representatives shall delight in doing business with us because of our quality and exemplary service.
Our company culture shall encourage and motivate people, to give them opportunities to stretch their horizons and to treat them with dignity.
We will always be concerned over the welfare of our people, the quality and purpose of our products and our integrity as an organization.
We have a unique opportunity to make a difference in our world.
We shall be obedient to God and shall conduct our business in a manner that honors Him.
" ... Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." ( Phillppians 4:8)
Isn't that beautiful? I'm thinking that's a pretty good model for any Christian employer, teacher, doctor, lawyer, waitress, janitor, - well, really, just about anyone.
Even, with a little tweak here and a little tweak there, for a Christian family.
Hey, there's an idea. Sit down with your kids and together write a mission statement for your family. Decide on a special verse for your family. Then print it in a beatiful color and font and frame it somewhere to remind you what you've committed to.
Go over it in good times and bad. Talk about how you're tracking with your Mission Statement and how you've been distracted. It's a really good report card for Mom and Dad - not in a negative way, but just as a reminder what your ideals, hopes, and dreams are.
Because, let's face it, in a world where parenting- like business - is no longer built on a rock, we need something solid and a lot of reminders to help us weather the storms.
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