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I Met An Honest Man

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Education & Training with InfraredClass.com

I Met An Honest Man,

By John McKenna

AMERICAN HOME INSPECTION 



I hired a man to work for me the other day who has five kids.  He recently had to move away from his previous apartment because the crime was so severe there, he feared for his children's safety.  He lost his job and had to move in with his in-laws for now, because he has not been able to find steady work.

While working for me temporarily, I noticed that  he had a very good attitude and worked hard.  He seemed very positive about life and was a blessing to be around.  At the end of a few days, I paid him the money that I owed him.  What happened next was the unusual part.

He called me back latter and told me that I had paid him $100 too much.  I was surprised because I cannot remember ever making that kind of mistake when paying someone.  He told me he wanted to give me the money back because he was sure that I needed it.  I was stunned and surprised at the same time.  He was concerned about me.

I had met an honest man!!!

He was poor, he was without a job, he was without his own place to live, HE HAD WAY MORE NEEDS THAN ME... Yet, he was concerned about me and wanted to do the right thing.

I did something next that I could not stop if I tried to.  I told him to keep the money and use it for his kids.  I told him that by meeting him, and seeing his honesty, was such a blessing that it was my pleasure to know him.  He has my respect.  I realized I had met an honest man who lives by an inner light, higher and stronger than his need for self preservation.

I carry his image with me.  I am thankful to know him.

His image and likeness reminds me of someone else I know.

Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Wow John, that guy is a gem!  I love the fact that you shared this.  Thanks!
Mar 21, 2007 01:51 PM
Jimmy Breazeale
Sherlock Home Inspections - Coldwater, MS

Great post, John!

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs, 22:9)

Mar 21, 2007 02:20 PM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst
Nice move John, It's nice to deal with honest ... and generous folks.
Mar 21, 2007 02:51 PM
David Cook
Paragon Inspections - Barrie, ON

If I lived in Texas, I would think you were talking about me.

I did an inspection and the guy told me he was short by $25.   He asked if he could get his wife to bring me the rest the next day. I agreed and went home.  That night I went to put the cash in a deposit bag and it did not count right. I recounted and found he had actually overpaid by $25.  The next morning I called his house and left a message about this. I walked out my door ten minutes later and an envelope was already in my door with the $25 from his wife.  I took the money over to his house and his wife went on-line and checked his withdrawal the previous day.  She told several people and to date I have received four inspections from this.

Let me see, I returned $50 and received $1400,  the math shows honesty can pay.

Mar 21, 2007 04:00 PM
Jimmy Breazeale
Sherlock Home Inspections - Coldwater, MS
Some of my market area is relatively poor, on average, consisting of hard-working and deserving people who, because of their honesty and diligence, qualify to 'make a payment', but have very little cash lying around.  I always offer to receive payment on closing, and those deals don't always go through.  Sometimes, I take a total loss, but more often than not I get a call from the client about payment.  Depending on their situation, I offer to accept a lesser amount, or allow them to pay when they can.  On several occasions, from this same area, I have wound up inspecting the home a client eventually buys.  This is the very segment of the market that all too often gets taken for an expensive ride, winding up with a note on a home that they soon find needs a lot of work that they can't afford.  I have been there in my life, and I don't like to see people get preyed upon.
Mar 21, 2007 05:42 PM
Christopher Webster
EXP Realty, LLC - Columbia, SC
Columbia South Carolina Real Estate For Sale
Great post! You did the right thing and so did you worker. I'd rather be honest and get praise than to lie and hope nothing bad happens!
Mar 21, 2007 05:52 PM
Calvin Bailey
A Closer Look Home Inspections - Oshawa, ON

Honest hearts produce honest actions - Brigham Young

Great story John!  just great! :)

Mar 21, 2007 06:16 PM
Steven Turetsky
Comprehensive Building Inspections & Consultants - Staten Island, NY
Building Moisture Analyst
A few weeks ago, I filled three company trucks with fuel. The amount came out to $166.00 . The attendant, who was new and didn't have very good use of the english language, brought me a credit card receipt to sign... in the amount of $1.66 . I brought it to his attention, he just didn't understand what I was tellling him. I took him into his shanty, and helped him make out the new ticket. Finally, he understood and was so appreciative. His mistake would have cost him more than he made that day.
Mar 22, 2007 11:02 AM
Lance Langenhoven
The Oscar Group, a Keller Wiliams team - The Woodlands, TX

Dude! Great story.... kind of story that brings tears to the eyes....

I live & work in The Woodlands, if I ever have to get inspections done in Conroe I'll try to remember you for that!

Mar 22, 2007 04:17 PM
Kelli Fronabarger
Bend River Realty Inc. - Bend, OR
Realtor - Bend Oregon

Thank you for posting this. Honest people are like cream, they always rise to the top. You and your employee both did something good that day and something to be very proud of.

 

Mar 22, 2007 05:06 PM
John McKenna
InfraredClass.com - Dallas, TX
Thanks for everyone's comments.  There is goodness among us, and it's wonderful to highlight it.  It so easy getting caught up in seeing all the negative.  It's refreshing to be reminded of the mystery of love and truth.
Mar 22, 2007 05:32 PM
Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN
RS Mortgage Consulting - Indianapolis, IN
This post made my day.  I needed this post.  Just returned from the funeral home of my friends father.  Thank you for sharing this, wish I had gotten to it sooner. 
Mar 23, 2007 02:37 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

This is now a featured post in "Christianity and Real Estate"......

BTW...I wonder who it made you think of, hehehehehe!!

=-)

Mar 23, 2007 03:38 PM
Duayne Weir
Investment Realities LLC/MarketLink Realty - Ham Lake, MN
Minnesota Real Estate Agent

Thanks John,

This is a beautiful story of honesty and integrity. Great Post!!

Good Day!! have a cup of java and a smile on me :)

Mar 24, 2007 05:41 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
So good to hear about goodness and honesty in this world when everywhere you turn seems to be just the opposite.  Awesome story, and thank you for sharing!
Mar 25, 2007 05:55 AM
Dan Allred
Allred Realty - Thousand Oaks, CA
DRE#01761967
Honesty... a word so over used and under lived. It is sad to say that we don't see this enough in our world today! Praise God for more integrity and honesty from people we deal with.
Mar 26, 2007 11:57 AM
Rick Turner
Key Realty - Toledo, OH
Puts People In Their Places!!

John,

Your friend there is the richest of us all!  Great post!

Thanks &,

 

Mar 26, 2007 05:12 PM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management

John,

Thanks for the post and such a heart warming story with which to start my day.

Mar 27, 2007 12:18 AM
Patrick Brady
The Danberry Co., Realtors - Sylvania, OH
That is a great story.  It certainly makes you feel better about your fellow human beings.  Too many times you hear stories about greed and people being self centered.  This story makes you believe that most people want to do what is right.
Mar 27, 2007 03:25 AM