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Stretching for humility—on the very top shelf
As a rookie radio announcer at a noncommercial station, I landed the least desirable shifts. I often opened the station at 5.00 a.m. with bird calls and "suitable music," and regularly closed the transmission with "suitable music" (including the national anthem)—with a zillion menial tasks in between.
I would never have survived or been promoted to prime time had it not been for the station's record librarian, Charles—the shyest, gentlest person I've ever worked with. He had soft brown eyes and a laugh that tinkled like the brooks that crossed his beloved Yorkshire moors, where, I believe, he was born. He didn't talk much about himself. His life purpose, I gradually realized, was to serve God—and his fellow broadcasters—as promptly, humbly, and efficiently as he could, day or night.
I only had to hint at my needs for a show, and without saying a word, Charles would climb to the top of the library ladder, stretch for a record sleeve, and carefully clamber back down, cradling the vinyl disk as though it were a two-week-old baby. As he descended, he would evaluate the performance, suggest what I might learn from such artistry, and then say quietly, "And what else can I do for you today?"
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
April 9, 2007 issue
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LETTERS
with contributions from DOROTHY BRANDT LOMBARD, DEE COTTERELL, DOROTHY GORDON, DAN ZISKIND
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Stretching for humility—on the very top shelf
KIM SHIPPEY, SENIOR WRITER
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ITEMS OF INTEREST
with contributions from Gloria Galloway, David Yount, Matt Hannon
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humbled, exalted, and healed
BY CHARLES FERRIS
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humble saves the day
BY ELAINE FOLLIS
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what He made me to be
BY CONNIE CODDINGTON
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HEALING FOR EVERY ILLNESS EVEN INCURABLE DISEASE
BARBARA VINING
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ALL-AROUND NICE GUYS
BY GARRETT FIELDING
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CAN GOD HELP WITH TECHNOLOGY?
BY JOHN WITNEY
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SPIRITUALLY ENRICHING PLACES
SUSANNAH H. SNOWDEN,
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HOW CAN I HELP?
SANDY SCOTT
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FORGIVE—AND REALLY FORGET
JULIE TREVOR-ROBERTS
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WELLSPRINGS OF HOPE FOR NIGERIA
SHELLY RICHARDSON
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HEALING—A BLESSING TO OURSELVES AND OTHERS
JANET HORTON
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FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT REGAINED THROUGH PRAYER
GEORGE LEEMING
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PRAYER INSTEAD OF SURGERY
JERRY O. SPARKS