Day 4: Can we all be a Fred?

(With kindest regards to Mark Sanborn for the 2004 inspiration from his book titled The Fred Factor)

To answer the question in the title, yes you can become a Fred.

If you are working as to please God then you can become a Fred. If you are working to earn favors from God then you’ve missed the point. God doesn’t have a tally book. All he has is “The Lamb’s Book of Life”. Is your name written there? No amount of good works or being a “Fred” will get your name written there. Repentance, asking for forgiveness, and accepting the Grace and Mercy of our Lord is all it takes. Then go and sin no more. Okay, just so you know, we all fail this one every day. But, with God’s Grace and mercy, we can try again. Instead of trying to be Fred-like, we should be more like Jesus.

Today is a short one. Remember, we are not promised another day nor hour. Oh, I miss the mark on this one so much because I think there will always be a tomorrow or I can do that tomorrow. But if you have read about Fred up to this point, then I want you to think about what you can do to be more like Fred? Literally, write them down. When we make lists, set goals, we are more apt to keep them. Examples: Send a card or note to someone and list their name. Do something for someone unexpectedly without reward. Pay for a random meal/cup of coffee for someone. Offer up some pleasant words. Call people by name in unexpected places. They forget they have a nametag on and wonder, “how do they know me?” They will smile every time. Pick up trash left behind by others. Take or send flowers just to say I was thinking of you. Yes, I know some of these ideas can cost a bit and if you can’t do them, it’s okay. Fred never spent money to make his customers feel special. Time, care, compassion, and love rarely cost money.

Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Do we sacrifice to please God? What can you sacrifice today?