"Be the Man!" Week 7

My wife and I once travelled to Vienna, Austria as the first of several stops in Europe. Upon arriving we were to find a person we had never met, and go with them to their home to have dinner and spend the night. Then, in the very early morning, they would take us back across the city to the airport so that we could resume our travels. We were jet-lagged when we arrived, had little energy for conversation, went to bed early, and dragged ourselves to breakfast and coffee that our hosts had lovingly prepared. They were marvelous, extra-mile hosts, angelically entertaining strangers with world class hospitality. We were sleepwalking, drowsy extra baggage they certainly could have chosen not to lift. Between us, however, was one word: a name.  We shared a common, dear friend named Wes. When we came using his name, doors opened. We mentioned his name and smiles broke out. We slept and ate because of his name. We were sent on our way in his name. Because we both knew and loved the same friend, our connection was sweet, effective, and mutually satisfying. Knowing the right person, with permission to use his name, is a powerful door-opener.

Roger