Personal Integrity

I was asked to rate three things by how important they are to me and why I ranked them in the order I did. He prefaced the list with "this is hard". The three items were: 1) loyalty to customers and business 2) respect for others and 3) personal integrity. I told him that was easy. I didn't need to think on it at all. See if you agree with me. (I'm not sure there is a right or wrong answer.)

To me, personal integrity is number 1 (of the three listed), followed by respect for others, then loyalty to customers and business. I am only as good as my word. I consider that to be personal integrity. I stand firm in my beliefs and a person should be able to count on that from me every time. I am not saying that my opinion rules the day. But honesty does, honesty that rises from by belief in God and His truth.

Respect for others is a result of personal integrity. You get what you see from me. I will respect you enough to give you my best and my honesty. You can absolutely depend on that. That is part of the greatest commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind and spirit and love your neighbor as yourself. That is respect for others to me.

Then comes loyalty to customers and business. Loyalty can cloud judgment if it comes ahead of personal integrity or respect for others. A person can be loyal to the detriment of personal integrity, or honesty and following the rules. Actually, loyalty is almost a distant third to the others. I will be loyal to someone only as part of being honest with them and respecting them.

That is my story for today. I hope I live up to that in your experiences with me. I certainly try to.

Dear Jesus, let me always treat others with integrity and respect hoping that I can also be loyal to them. Thank you for being an example. Amen

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