“Responsibilities are given to him on who trust rests.  Responsibility is always a sign of trust.” – J.C. Penney

 When we start to talk about things like responsibility, trust and dependability we start to look around to see who it applies to.  Who is it that we can really trust?  Who in our life can we truly depend on to be there and keep their word?  Who do we know that is responsible enough to do want needs to be done?  Where these are good questions, they look in the wrong place.  The person we must talk about and look at is you.

 A QUESTION

Start by answering this question: Are you someone others can depend on?  Now don’t be too quick with an answer.  When someone is in need are you there to help or are you available when it is convenient for you to be?  When you say you will meet someone are you on time?  This is not just business appointments; we have to be on time for those, but with friends and family.  When you promise to do something do you keep your word?  Even when the circumstances change?  Again I ask: Are you someone others can depend on?

 WE ALL HAVE FALLEN SHORT

If you find this challenging you are not alone.  This is one of those things that you write and want to delete because it is too convicting.  I have had my share of being late for appointments, not being available when needed or not keeping a promise.  Like many Success-Minded People, I try my best to be a dependable person but sometimes I fall short.  I agree with Bob Jones who said “The greatest ability is dependability.”  It is the living that out we seem to have problems with.

 CHANGE IS POSSIBLE

The good news is we can change that – today.  Yes, we have the power to become a dependable person.  Success-Minded People know that they have the power to change their life.  It starts by having a reason to do so.  Just because you want to be dependable is not enough.  Our greatest motivation is in knowing that someone is depending on us.  We all have people in our life who need to have someone to trust and to know that they will be there when needed.  These people may be family or friends but they are also the people we work with and those we meet every day.

SERVING OTHERS

Success-Minded People know that our strength and our greatest blessings come from serving others.  You do not have to quit your job and become a missionary.  That in fact would be irresponsible unless God called you to do so.  Our service is in the small daily things that we can do for others.  It is in the kind word, the encouragement we can give.  It is in keeping our promises and being on time.  St Francis de Sales said “Great occasions for serving God comes seldom, but little ones surround us daily.”

 BE DEPENDABLE

Being dependable is nothing more than being a person of your word.  It’s knowing that you can help others in simple and easy ways.  You are not asked to be a martyr or to give all you time and attention to being busy.  Just be dependable.  Neal A. Maxwell said, “God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability He will increase our capability.”

 © 2012 John Patrick Hickey