Blog entry by
admin posted 2025-05-11 10:06:52
ALL HAMMER AND NO NAIL
There were two contractors who moved into a town, one worked in landscaping and the other built houses. The house builder, believing that perception is reality, puffed himself up as big as he could by placing large advertisements in the local paper stating he was quite the big builder and wanted only big clients. He talked the local builders down to build himself up. Word got around town that he was brash, arrogant and pushy, and folks suspected he was all hammer and ...no nail. He didn’t last.
Meanwhile, the landscaper started out small by taking little jobs like mowing yards and raking leaves. Eventually he bought himself a truck, then a trailer, and then bigger lawnmowers. He hired a helper and bought a backhoe and a dump truck. Locals liked his work, and they observed his skills and his dedication to detail. Word got around to, hire that guy.” Pretty soon he had half a dozen workers and was building beautiful stonewalls and installing landscaping for the wealthiest clients.
The house builder never figured out the flaw in his plan— he stomped into town playing the big man and talking others down while he talked himself up.
The landscaper understood that respect is a by-product of hard work and not an end in itself.
Let’s Pray: Dear God, when somebody else praises us, it sure feels better than when we brag with empty words about how great we are. Grant us humility and industry. Amen.
Here’s a Thought: Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth--an outsider, and not your own lips.
Sources:
*Proverbs 27:2 NIV “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
