It was so easy to walk with my head up outside yet it is down inside
It was so easy to smile at people and be weeping inside
It was so easy to dress to the nines and be naked on the inside
It was just too easy to fake it all.
—
I lived ‘fake it till you make it,’ so well
My young life looked glamorous because of my parents work
My adult life looked put together because that is the front I showed
It was too easy to fake it all.
—
It was easy to be in every project and seem to thrive
It was easy to get a kick from negotiating fees for projects
It was easy to sell a concept to a client or supplier
It was too easy to fake it all.
—
It all fell apart one day when the business couldn’t pay our bills
It fell apart when my largest supplier called me and pinned me down
It fell apart when we realised just how deeply we were in debt
The outcome was unreal.
—
We couldn’t pay the staff their salaries
We were behind in rent and bills
Our suppliers were calling every day for pay
It was all messed up.
—
I remember Mercy very well because she embodied mercy
We owed her over six figures and she was following up
She wanted to know what was going on
How could I explain it without shame.
—
Sitting in her office, I told her the truth and she listened carefully
When she spoke her words were few and simple
‘You will pay me every single cent you owe,’
‘You will keep your word to me,’
‘You will stand up and be counted as honest and faithful,’
You will honour God with your business, walk and life.’
—
You see, she was the first business person I met who truly loved God
She wouldn’t let herself and those around her dishonour Him
It wasn’t an option to be known as dishonest
She would walk with me until the end
And seeing I didn’t have a plan, she provided one.
—
‘You will call me every Friday, no text messages allowed.’
‘You will personally tell me how much you are paying.’
‘If you have nothing to pay you will call me and tell me.’
‘Do not bring me a cheque or cash, send me a deposit slip’
‘You will not delegate this to your team but do it yourself’
‘I will stand with you in prayer.’
She didn’t budge; she wouldn’t budge
—
I didn’t like it but I accepted the challenge
One shilling, week, call, deposit & prayer at a time
We made progress; she and I
I worked harder and smarter, allocated something from all income
We cut back on spending and freed as much as we could.
—
We now had a clear plan out of the mess
All we had to do was to keep our word
I applied the same principle with other suppliers
Our relationships improved and business resumed.
—
She taught me to honour God
She taught me to keep my word
She taught me to be honest
She taught me to never give up
She taught me to trust the process.
—
She became the defender of my faith & integrity
She became one of the world’s best teachers
She became a precious friend & mentor
And when she went home to heaven,
I thanked God for her influence and His grace to teach me hard lessons
I thanked God for a new disposition that has now become my life.
