Loyal 

 “It is better to be faithful than famous.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Whenever the word loyalty is mentioned our thoughts instantly go to dogs.  Where I find this odd that we think of dogs as more loyal than people, but I do understand it.  Recently my wife and I lost our loyal friend Lady, a 14 year old Springer Spangle to sickness and old age.  She was more than a pet to us; she was a friend and family member.  Even more, she was totally loyal.  I think there are lots of us can think of a loyal dog story.  And there is much we can learn from our K9 friends.  I love the quote from Robert Benchley who said “A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down.”

GOD. FAMILY. FRIENDS.

The reason we are so impressed with the loyalty of pets is because the value of loyalty is important to us.  Success-Minded People know that to be loyal is a quality they must strive to show in their life.  Success-Minded People are loyal first and foremost to their God, their family and their friends.  They know that their loyalty to them is the foundation of their character and their success in life.  First is their loyalty to God.  To follow the principles that are found in His word and they surrender their life and all they have to Jesus Christ.  Next is their loyalty to family: their spouse, children, parents and siblings.  Success-Minded People serve their family, protect them and help them become all they can be.  Success-Minded People are also loyal friends who support and encourage all who they care about.

THE LOYAL WORKER

Success-Minded People are also loyal in the workplace.  It is not a quality they hold only for a few.  They are loyal to all.  Success-Minded People will be loyal to their employer and workplace, co-workers, church, Pastor, school, and organizations they are affiliated with.  They can be counted on for support, to do all they can to help others succeed and to do their part.  Others do not have to fear betrayal or malicious actions by Success-Minded People.  They know you must first give loyalty to get loyalty.  Charles Jones said “Loyalty is something you give regardless of what you get back, and in giving loyalty you’re getting more loyalty; and out of loyalty flow other great qualities.”

LOYALTY IS NOT BLIND

                 Success-Minded People also understand that there is no such thing as blind loyalty.  Those who expect loyalty from people in order to do immoral or illegal things have the whole concept of loyalty wrong.  Loyalty never leads people to do wrong, compromise values and standards or do harm to others.  The loyal person is always looking to bring out the best in people and help them to achieve their dreams and goals, but they will walk away if those things lead to dishonesty or harm.  Abraham Lincoln said “Stand with anyone that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.”

 LOYALTY RESTORES

Loyal people do not abandon others just because they make a mistake.  We all, even Success-Minded People make mistakes – sometimes really bad ones.  The difference is that they are seen as mistakes, confessed, repented of and the work of restoration can begin.  The loyal person will stay with someone who all else has rejected if they know that person is looking to right a wrong.

 © 2011 John Patrick Hickey