In 1971, a couple of Swiss tourists named Hans and Erma, along with their pet poodle, Rosa, stopped a Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong. They asked the waiter if he would mind taking little Rosa into the kitchen and feeding her something while they ate their meal. The Chinese waiter gladly agreed. But a few minutes later the couple realized he had misunderstood their request, when he returned the poodle to their table in a frying pan marinated with sweet and sour sauce, and garnished with Chinese vegetables.
Hans and Erma learned that day the cost of unclear communication. Perhaps little Rosa’s fate would have been different that day if they had asked the waiter repeat their order back to them before taking her to the kitchen. Repeating back instructions is a good way to make sure employee and boss, or parents and children, are all on the same page.
God communicates clear instructions in His Word. Let’s follow His example by repeating instructions so we redeem the time.
Rick Grubbs is best known as the host of “Redeeming the Time,” a one-minute radio program featured on hundreds of radio outlets around the world. He has spoken thousands of times on Biblical time management in all 50 states and 26 other countries. He is the author of the book “Morning Momentum: God’s plan for launching an unstoppable day”. He and his wife Carrie live in Salisbury NC with several of their 12 children.
