I cannot be governed by what others seek. . .

Robert Owen was a welsh Industrialist who was obsessed with making the world a better place and developing a Utopian like community. . .This is a story from his multi-faceted life.

Robert began his professional life as a manufacturer of textile machinery. But in an effort to move up professionally he applied for a job as the factory manager for a large spinning establishment owned by a Mr. Drinkwater. With no experience with spinning mills, and at only 20 years old he decided to apply for the job and the following is the outcome.

"I put on my hat," wrote Owen "and proceeded straight to Mr. Drinkwater's counting house. 'How old are you?' 'twenty this may', was my reply. 'How often do you get drunk in the week?'. . .'I was never,' I said, 'drunk in my life,' blushing scarlet at this unexpected question. 'What salary to you ask?' 'Three hundred a year,' was my reply. 'What?' Mr. Drinkwater said, with some surprise, repeating the words, 'three hundred a year! I had this morning I know not how many seeking the situation and I do not think all their asking together would amount to what you require.' 'I cannot be governed by what others seek,' said I, ' and I cannot take less." He got the Job and within six months was offered a quarter interest in the business.

  "I cannot be governed by what others seek". . .what a powerful phrase. It shows confidence and comfort with one's self that brought him success, self-respect and the respect of others.  He wasn't a man that was governed by the world around him. Because of that he ultimately created a community called New Lanark that was world famous. In fact over 20,000 visitors came to see this little Scottish town in less than 10 years.

Why was it such a remarkable place? The city was organized, every worker had his own house, Children were in school not factories and finally the door of the factory was open to anyone for objections or suggestions. It became a model for other cities in many nations, and still is. All because one man was not governed by what other's seek.

What conclusions could I draw?

I'm more concerned about the conclusions that you draw.

Story and Quotes taken from the Book "The Worldy Philosphers," By Robert L. Heilbroner, 1999, , Simon and Schuster

Questions

Life is full of so many questions. We question ourselves, we question our spouse, our children, our friends, those we don't know and, even at times, our God. It was in the last instance that a very important question was asked and a valuable lesson taught. That question, if used more frequently and sincerely, would have a powerful impact on individuals, families and the world.

It occurred during a very sacred and special moment when Jesus Christ taught his apostles of his sacrifice and the passover.  On this occasion, with his apostles seated around him, he uttered a phrase that must have startled and saddened those with whom he ate; "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me."

There was no finger pointing by those around him, only sorrow, indeed they were "very sorrowful". Following this declaration His humble table companions, one by one, asked; " Lord is it I "? 

What a lesson. Instead of accusing or judging, each humbly looked inside and asked is it I? Is it me? Am I the one who is going to betray You?

 Many times when counsel or correction is given, we, tend to think of those it could help. We learn of a problem in the world, or in our own life, and find others to blame. We so frequently see the faults others have, yet overlook the same, or more serious, faults in ourselves.

Surely it could not be me. . .or could it? What if it is us that needs to change, show more love, or is too judgmental.

This one question if asked more frequently could change lives. . .our own lives. We would be more able to love because we would be more focused on our own self-improvement and not the improvement of others. We would be more forgiving as the faults we see in those around us would also be recognized as our own, and that the struggle for self-mastery is universal work.

. . .Is it I?

Do we. . .I ask it enough?

It could be the difference in anger and rejection  -or-  love and acceptance.

God is the Gardner!

Which would you rather have around your house?

Planting a beautiful Garden takes so much work. Every flower is planted a little differently. It's the same with people. . .

This is a less known parable from Isaiah 28

23 ¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

  24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

  25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

  26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

  27 For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

  28 Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

  29 This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Just as each seed mentioned is treated and planted differently. So are we as Individuals. The "lord of Hosts" knows each one of us. He knows how we will grow and develop the best. He prepares our soil, our seed and plants us where we can grow. The challenge is how we react, how we choose to respond to the situation in which we are placed.

Do we trust him? Do I trust him?