22 of 52 Voices June 12th, 2014

The C3 Leaders devotion is a peer weekly reflection from business leaders related to their journey with Christ. Each weekly devotion will be written by a different author from among the C3 Leaders community, 52 unique authors to be exact.

As we go through this next year together, we pray that these words and reflections will encourage you in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

When George Reece, President of Murray Franklyn, started with the company, he spent his time monitoring construction projects as a superintendent. After several years working in the field, George found himself in a difficult position when the owners made a shocking request of him.

“The two founding partners came out to Bremerton and took me out to a coffee shop.” George recalls, “They said ‘George, we have a situation. We may need you to tell a little lie on behalf of the company. Can you do that for us?’” George remembers thinking, “’This might be the last day of my job.’ My father ingrained in me a devotion to honesty. His leadership in my life was an example of integrity that has been essential in my life.” Telling a lie for them was simply something George couldn’t do. His conscience prohibited it. “And so I told the founding partners ‘no’. There was a moment of silence in the conversation that seemed like an eternity.”

What happened next surprised George even more. “The next moment, they asked me to join them as a partner. It was a test. I went from being an employee to a business owner, all by abiding by the integrity my father instilled in me. It was a moment that changed my life, and an example to me. It reinforced the importance of doing the right thing.”

Proverbs 3: 1-4

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.