The company we keep

April 15 2007
06:30 AM

After 3 weeks of working with Mike the Asphalt Mariner, I’ve noticed a few things worth mentioning.

Since he’s constantly working around the docks, and docks are surrounded by water, Mike keeps his sunglasses secured with a cord around his neck to keep them from falling over the side.

The lake has claimed 3 of Mike’s cell phones … now he keeps his safely fastened in a Velcro holster on his hip.

Mike’s tool boxes have a precisely arranged assortment of expensive tools like wrenches, nut drivers, drill drivers, torches and a few custom tools Mike made himself. He knows where the 5/8” box end stubby is, without having to stop lose valuable time searching.

And while Mike may have spent all day pulling a corroded outdrive from a slimy transom, at the end of the day his hands aren’t stained with grease. His fingernails aren’t ever crusted with oily grime like you might expect, either.

That’s because Mike washes and scrubs his hands after each job, so dirt and filth never has a chance to take hold and start accumulating.

Here’s what’s odd:

Now I’ve got a brown cord on my sunglasses. I keep my phone at the bottom of my front pants pocket. My tools are the same brand as Mike’s and I’ve arranged them the same way Mike keeps his.

Mike’s a highly trained, competent, no-nonsense professional who knows and understands what he’s doing.

He doesn’t show up for work drunk, lie to customers, scrimp or cut corners, steal from boats or overcharge for work. And he stands behind the job at no additional charge until the customer is satisfied it’s right.

All of which might explain why Mike’s turn-around time for new work is running around 8 weeks (and it’s not even boating season yet.)

Mike’s at the opposite end of the scale from the yahoo fly-by-night mechanics who blow into the marina with a big splash, brag with great excitement about their skill and experience and then vanish, leaving holes in the wallets (or the transoms) of their customer-victims.

That was the illustration. Here’s the point:

We’ve all got a tendency to adopt the habits, behaviors, values and standards of the people we’re around. It’s hard to stand apart without wanting to fit it and be accepted.

We’ve also got a tendency to explain away and rationalize our actions with noble-sounding excuses.

If your friends are liars, chances are you’ll think lying is OK too, and start telling “just a little” or “white” lies yourself. If you go to clubs with friends whose sleep with strangers then your values and self-esteem are also at risk … and you’ll likely think their behavior is their business and look the other way (because it’s “their private life.”)

Even though it compromises and invalidates your witness as a follower of Christ.

If you intentionally prefer to spend time with and socialize with “friends” who aren’t believers, or choose to date people who don’t share your faith and aren’t inspiring and encouraging you spiritually, then your faith has already been eroded and is under critical attack. Don’t tell me it isn’t … because you’ve been swimming deep in De Nile.

If you think a little touchy-feely funny business on the couch is OK because “We’ve both got our clothes on” or because “It’s not actually having sex” or “It’s nothing compared to what else going on out there” then I’d suggest you stand in front of a mirror, take a good look at who’s peering back, and then start slapping as hard as required until that foolishness goes away.

For Heaven’s sake. Your body is not your own, no matter what the humanists say. You were purchased at a price and paid for with the blood of Christ.

Why am I mentioning this?

Lately I can’t help but notice all the grinning would-be mechanics who want to shake hands ... except they've got greasy palms and filthy nails.