Trust: Do You Just Give It, or Do You Have to Earn It?
Three weeks ago, I was getting ready for bed when my security camera went off in the front yard. When I checked the app, all I could see was a critter scurrying across the porch. Once I realized it was not a bad guy or a monster, I opened the door. There, I found a tiny, emaciated puppy, timid and thin, nothing but skin, bones, and a wagging tail. Clearly, I startled her. I wasn’t sure if it was my presence or my ridiculously high-pitched squealing to her to come to me. She slowly, timidly crept over to me, and I was aghast at the state of her.
I gently led her to my garage, gave her some food and water, and watched as she carefully took the kibble from my hand, never once nipping, even though it was clear she was famished.
I set up a doggie bed with a blanket and turned on a fan to drown out any noise. Exhausted, she curled up like a little croissant, but as soon as she closed her eyes, her ears perked straight up. I don't think she'd ever slept well in her entire short life. She wanted desperately to sleep, but didn't trust that she could completely let her guard down. She was clearly worried about bad guys and monsters herself.
I struggled for a name until, while listening to the radio, Van Morrison’s voice sang, “She’s as sweet as Tupelo honey. She’s an angel of the first degree.” That was it. Honey.
At the vet, we learned she had been starving, had a terrible ear infection, a potential heart condition that may require surgery, and what appears to be a buckshot pellet in her leg. I cannot imagine the cruelty she has endured, yet she trusts me. She sees the good in people, carrying the biggest, most loving broken heart I have ever seen.
That kind of trust stopped me in my tracks. Honey had every reason to close herself off, but she still reached out for help. She reminded me that sometimes trust begins not with proof, but with hope.
Many of you are new clients to Michael and me. With the Fidelis acquisition in Southern Pines, you do not know us yet, and you are trusting us with your life savings, retirement, and financial future. We do not take that lightly. Trust is a funny thing. Most of us are more cautious. We hold our trust close and make people earn it piece by piece. In our business, I understand why. Trust is not just about money. It is about your family, your goals, and your future. We honor the faith you place in us and work to earn it every day.
Watching Honey heal reminds me that trust does not have to be scary. Whether given freely or carefully, it is a gift, and like all gifts, it should be treated with care.
Psalm 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Just like Honey learning to trust me, and you learning to trust us, there is a greater trust that holds us steady, the trust we place in God to guide us. And while I cannot promise I will never get excited and let out another high-pitched squeal, I can promise that we will always treat your trust with care, respect, and gratitude.
My hope is that, just as Honey found a safe place to land, you too feel safe and confident placing your trust in us. We look forward to walking this journey with you, growing in trust together, one step at a time.
-Katie