May they see Jesus in us!

Ivan Seidenberg, CEO of NYNEX, got his first job as janitor of an office building in Manhattan. The building superintendent was an older man named Mike. He said little but watched everything very carefully. One day he asked about a book Ivan was reading. Ivan explained he was putting himself through college at night. Mike said "Okay," and walked away.

Four months later he came up to Ivan and remarked, "You know, there are companies that will help you pay for school." Ivan asked which ones, and Mike told him about the electric and phone companies' continuing education programs for their employees. Ivan filled out the applications and took the employment tests. He heard back first from the telephone company, so he took a job as a splicer's helper. Except for 22 months in the Army, he has worked at NYNEX ever since.

Today, Ivan says, "In the year I worked for Mike he didn't say much, but those few words spoke volumes. He gave me a helping hand. If you take pride in your work and do a good job, you never know who might be watching and one day, provide a boost. Now when I talk to janitors and other employees, I ask, 'What's happening?' Invariably they tell me something I didn't know. It doesn't matter if you're the janitor or the CEO, values and performance count—people are watching." Beloved, people are watching our lives. May they see Jesus Christ in us!

Mattoon's Treasures - Mattoon's Treasures – Treasures from John, Volume 2.