Yesterday I wrote about a friend welcoming some free advice. Today I’m pleased to offer another story about a positive response to what could have been a negative situation.

Tom, a friend of mine from out-of-state, had a “chance” encounter at a rural Colorado hotel with another friend who is on part-time staff with a Christian organization. I’ll call him Joe. Tom described Joe as “interesting because parts of his personality were pleasant; at other times he appeared to be rude and demanding.” I pressed for details and passed them on to Joe’s team leader, who said he would talk with Joe about the importance of a Jesus-follower being “on-duty 24/7 even when you’re in the mountains with your grandsons.”

A little while later I received a call from Joe thanking me for passing along Tom’s observations and to everyone for “helping him stay between the ditches.”

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15.31 – 33, ESV)