HE WAS A GENTLEMAN
After my dad passed away, I went up to Escanaba, Michigan, to be with my mom and to take care of some things. One of the things Dad liked to do every day was to take a short walk down to the main road, stop at the local convenience store there, and buy a newspaper. Because they saved him a newspaper every day, I needed to go down and “cancel his subscription,” so to speak.
So I walked down, following the same route that Dad must have done many times, in sunshine and in harsh weather. I stopped in and introduced myself. I told them that Dad had passed away and they would no longer need to hold a paper for him. The young woman behind the counter expressed her regrets, and said, “I am so sorry! He was such a gentleman!”
It’s not too often you hear that these days, and it’s less often that you hear “gentlemanly” touted as a virtue. But once I heard that described of Dad, I knew that’s at least one way I wished to be known. I’m kinda old-fashioned that way, I guess. I dismiss ladies first from my last period classes (and much to the boys’ dismay, I don’t take turns and let them go first tomorrow). I try to look and hold a door for anyone who might be coming after me. And if someone’s wearing a name tag, I try to call them by name.
Thanks, Dad, for the example of being a gentleman. We could sure use more of that here.
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Published by Mark G. Knox
Mark Knox is an effective communicator and natural teacher who instructs with the purpose of lasting life-change. Teaching content that "takes root downward, bears fruit upward" has become his mission as he seeks for deep, clear understanding of concepts and practical application of principles.
Mark has served in churches in various capacities...pastor, elder, teacher, youth pastor, worship leader. He is an educator with over 15 years of experience in middle schools in Florida and North Carolina. He has worked as a leader for companies such as Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, Ashland University, and Grandy's.
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