WALKING THE LINE!
June 1, 2022
If you’re like me, you have frequent conversations with yourself about lots of things. I always try to say and do the right thing, but sometimes what I say and do just don’t turn out right! There is a fine line between what some people think is hilarious and others think is offensive and a fine line between being tough versus being mean. Is there a fine line between being a good parent versus the concept of tough love? There is a fine line between being sympathetic and being an enabler. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always get it right! My list of what I should have done and how I should have done it is endless. Hopefully by the grace of God I am learning to become wise enough to know the difference between “Thy will” and “my will.”
I often dwell on what sort of things I should share or not share. For me, the good things are blessings bestowed upon me. I don’t want to sound like I am boasting or seeking publicity. My goal in sharing is to provide insight and perhaps inspiration when I share how a kid who failed the first grade and took remedial math and remedial reading was able to be part of some good things through God’s favor. I often think about reading about the importance of being alone in a quiet place to read scripture and pray. I think about the words that “The greatest blessings are the ones no one knows about.”
At the risk of messing up or crossing the line one more time, I want to share with you some of the most powerful and intimate moments that I can recall in the history of King Aerospace. When I first started the company, I had a priest come to our home, our Addison Home Office and our Ardmore hangars and bless those places. For whatever reason, my heart told me that it was the right thing to do, and I followed my heart. For me, those blessings demonstrated my commitment, dedication, and appreciation to the great controller in the control tower of all creation. This past month, I had a priest bless the new Arkansas facility. My wife and son participated along with some long-term employees who could be available. For all of us present, it was heartfelt. I could not hold back my tears of humility and thankfulness. Each person read a prayer from one of the Episcopal prayer books that I provided. (Over the past thirty years there has almost always been one of these books wherever I sat at a desk or laid down my head at night). The prayers read, or more importantly, prayed, were specifically for the unemployed, for commerce and industry, for all people in their vocations, for stewardship of creation, for those in our armed forces and for guidance. This prayer process is not taught in business schools, but it is critical to me, my business, and my life. Seeing my books held by those present and listening to their words did my heart good. These very same prayers have helped give me guidance, wisdom and understanding on countless sleepless nights and gave me hope as I dealt with challenges in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Washington DC and on international trips.
Often when feeling overwhelmed, I pray the serenity prayer, which is used and made popular by Alcoholics Anonymous. (I am not an alcoholic unless two rum and diet cokes daily after 5PM makes me one!)
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Perhaps by sharing this intimate information, someone will find this story helpful. Know that I and King Aerospace continue to move forward “Funded on Faith” striving to do “THY WILL” as we serve God, Country, and Family. If you read this, I would say you are part of the Family and it’s okay to “Cross the line” in the spirit of making a positive difference. God Bless!!
Written by KING AEROSPACE Founder, Jerry Allan King-Echevarria.