How my dad ever got this book, Ford at Fifty, I don't know since he was never what you would call a car guy, or a Ford man. But I'm glad he did. In 1953, for their 50th anniversary Ford published this book, and it is an amazing look into America, its people, its past, and its future-from Ford's perspective. Concentrating on people, and how the Ford automobile has affected their lives, it showed hope for the future of the US of A. A hope we could all use today. Some excerpts-
Russ Bengel owns a manufacturing plant that supplies parts for new Fords. He brags that on a recent shipment of 6 million precision machined parts, the standard was 60,000 rejects, or 1%. He was proud of they actually found only 1300! And of 341,000 water pumps produced, only 36 rejects. That's 2/1000ths of a percent. American manufacturing at its best! And as ex-mayor of Jackson, he never gave a speech to run, he learned to make decisions by keeping his mouth shut-from his dad. To judge men by their character. His dad was a lumber buyer, and learned to judge lumber by its grain, and to judge men the same way, and has used it to find the best men for the right jobs.
Ben Johnson is profiled after 28 years with Ford. He plans to spend his retirement with his wife and grandson fishing, and eating picnic lunches. With his retirement checks each month, including Social Security, he takes home $145.10 per month. A far cry from when he started at 61 1/2 cents per hour, finishing at $2.001/2! Owns his own duplex too.
We also see how the local Ford dealership, Burton and White Motors of Sacramento were important to the community. Not only employing 84, up from 31 in 1946, the owners sponsor a Junior American League baseball team, and the owners are business and community minded-directors of the YMCA, the Red Cross, the Retail Merchants and the Retail Credit Associations.
This is the America I grew up in. It had a hope and a future, as promised by Jeremiah-if you sought God with all your heart. It was a sterling example of how God shed His grace on a country and its people, just like the words of the song declare. Of how when a country turns to God, He will prosper them. And using the example of Israel, He declares that whoever is Israel's friend He will protect, but whoever is her enemy, He will turn His back on. Today, at least on paper, we are the only ally Israel has. But sadly our actions and our attitudes tell a different story. And like the scripture says, unless we turn from our wicked ways, we shall perish. God wants to heal our land, to prosper us again, will you let Him heal your heart, and your land? It is personal, like the Ford stories, and begins one on one with Jesus. Will you turn to Jesus today while we can still look ahead? Before we can only look back?
Henry Ford once said "it is a poor business that makes only money." Russ Benton's dad judged men by their grain-their character. While we look on the outer man, God looks on the heart. Which scares me-for our hearts are so wicked we have become a country that worships more money, and will do anything for a dollar. Where men's character is compromised, until they get caught. But Jesus seeks to save that was lost. US!
Don't believe the ads that say "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." For God sees all, and we will have a day of accounting someday. Look around, it may be happening now! Trust God. If character is how we act when no one is looking, I shudder to think what God sees. But His love is true. And without qualification.
Be a person of character today. Trust God, and let Him lead your life. From womb to tomb, He loves you. Jesus taught in the temple, but ministered on the street. You do the same. Get out and into the community, be people of character while you still can. Let others see your light shine. The old Ford ad told us "there is a Ford in your future." Make sure that Jesus is in yours. Today.
love with compassion,
Mike
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