IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

In 1955, when Colonel Harland Sanders retired at the age of 65, he had little to show for himself except an old Caddie roadster, a $105 monthly pension check, and a recipe for chicken. Knowing he couldn’t live on his pension, he took his chicken recipe in hand, got behind the wheel of his clunker, and set out to make his fortune.

His first plan was to sell his chicken recipe to restaurant owners, who would in turn give him a residual for every piece of chicken they sold — five cents per chicken. The first restaurateur he called on turned him down. So did the second. So did the third.

In fact, the first 1,000 sales calls Colonel Sanders made ended in rejection. Still, he continued to call on owners as he traveled across the USA, sleeping in his car to save money. Prospect number 1009 finally gave him his first "yes."

After two years of making daily calls he had signed up a total of five restaurants. Still the Colonel pressed on knowing that he had a great chicken recipe and that someday the idea would catch on.

Of course, you know how the story ends. The idea DID catch on. By 1963 the Colonel had 600 restaurants across the country selling his secret recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken (with eleven herbs and spices). In 1964 he was bought by future Kentucky governor John Brown. Even though the sale made him a multi-millionaire, he continued to represent and promote KFC until his death in 1980.

Colonel Sanders’ story teaches an important lesson: It’s never too late to decide you’ll never give up. This is how Jesus challenged us to approach life. He said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Luke 11:9).

This command follows a story Jesus told emphasizing the importance of a "never-give-up" attitude in prayer. Jesus is saying, "Ask not just once, but as many times as is necessary. Then keep on knocking till the door is opened."

If you have made half-hearted attempts at doing God’s will in your life...if you have given up too easily in the past...remember: It’s never too late to become persistent. It’s never too late to decide you’ll never give up. Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking!

Dean Fitch