What Are You Known For?

About a year ago, I sat in Starbucks conversing with an elderly gentleman whom I met a month prior.  At our first meeting that happened a month before, he reached out his hand and said, "what are you known for?"  I thought for a moment, reflecting on this unusual question.  After my short hesitation, I talked about my job.  "No, no.  What are you known for?"  Again, there is that question.  So, I tried a round two answer of "I'm known for being a good man, kind and compassionate."  He smiled and again asked, "what are you known for?"

I realized at that moment that Harold was asking me about my family.  He was really asking, "are you married?  Do you have any children?  How are you as a family man?"  As I proudly shared about my family, he listened intently with his eyes never leaving mine.  Even though he never met me before, this gentle man conveyed a sense of caring.

Shortly after that first meeting, we decided to continue our conversation over coffee.  During that time together, I learned about what he is known for --- his loving family.  This former pastor's eyes lit up when he talked about his children, his beloved wife, grandchildren as well as his extended family -- his good friends.  During the latter part of the conversion, I shared with him about God's leading in my life to serve others through politics (i.e. running for Congress).   Since then, whenever I ran into Harold (mainly at Grace Church), he always asked me how my family was doing.  Essentially, he was challenging me to be accountable to my family.  If I treated them nice and with kindness and with authenticity, my family would respond positively towards me, which would make me feel good and them as well.    

Harold may not have known much about politics.  However, the question he always asked me is a key to halting an out of control political culture.  People still ask my political opinion these days and a week doesn't go by when someone urges me to run for office.  I'm flattered by the confidence people seem to have in my leadership abilities.  The key to fixing Washington is treating people with kindness, respect, honor and with a servants heart.  Naive, maybe.  But once we show mutual respect for each then we will be able to engage in honest and open dialogues to begin reversing the downward spiral of this country.  When we invest in people's lives, they too will become invested in theirs as well.


Last week Harold went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is my understanding that Harold was surrounded by family and friends at his hospital bedside.  In other words, he was surrounded by "who he was known for".  I'll never forget our first meeting and the first thing he said to me.  I'm a much better person for it.


So, what are you known for?