I Owe It All to Jesus

May 11, 2025
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Reflections from the Heart Allan Redenius
How often do we look back over our lives and for a few moments recognize people who have given us a break in one fashion or another?  All too often, with our success we believe that it was through our own efforts that we have become successful.  We tend to forget about those people who may have helped us along the way.  Here are just a few examples of people who have helped me in my career.  Let me preface what I say about these clients in my CPA career with, more than clients, they are my friends.

• Three brothers owned three businesses, each owning a part of the other’s business.  Two of the brothers were very successful.  The other brother, not so much.  He eventually went out of business because he was unable to pay his creditors, including me.  He owed me over $4000.  Then one day while working for the successful brothers, they told me this.  “Whatever our brother owed you, add it on to our bill.”   
• I started my own CPA practice when I was only 25 years old on December 1, 1975.  I opened my door, hung out my shingle, and that very day one of the largest retailers in our community walked into my office, plopped his books on my desk, and said, “From now on, you are my CPA.”  I worked with him for almost 40 years.
• One day a man, by the name of Bob, came into my office and said to me, “I need $25,000 from you so we can start a manufacturing business.”  Knowing how good he was at his specialty, and after a lot of prayer, I wrote the check.  Gulp!  After that day, I would tell Armona, “One day, our ship will come in.” After many months of not so much success, Armona would ask, “So, when is this ship going to come in?”  Bob and I would always answer, “We see the boat out there on the horizon, but it's so far out, we can't tell if it's coming in or going out.” 😊  For 25 years, Bob and I were partners, he owning the majority of the company.  One morning we woke up and the ship was already tied up at the dock.  We sold the company.  Now Bob, owning the majority of the company, could have easily and legally declared for himself a humongous bonus and kept most of the sale price.  But being an honorable man, he gave me my share of the sale price.  That was a very good day!    

There are many more stories which I could tell.  But the best one is this.  The people of First Covenant Church, though lacking a seminary degree, and being an inexperienced preacher, took a chance on me.  They called me to be their pastor.  That may have been the best day!!
I will never forget the people who came alongside me and gave me a hand up.  Thank you, Jesus, for bringing those people into my life!  One more story about a man who gave me the biggest break of all.  He saved my life.  His name is Jesus, and He can save your life too!
 
Pastor Allan
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