This is post THREE of a seven post blog – HELPFUL HINTS. Check back each Monday for new submission

God created us to worship Him and fellowship with others. God in the beginning of the Bible knew that it was not good for Adam to be alone. God gave Adam the gift of Eve and when he saw her he said: “WOW -man!” Hence, the name WOMAN 🙂

We are wired to have community and when we have harmony and unity then we got BEAUTY! Michael Bolton was right: “LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING.” Relationships are crucial and they are pivotal. Two weeks ago, I addressed rebounds and last week was respect but today our helpful hint is RELATIONSHIPS.

FACT: It is true that we find only one way to Heaven (Jesus) but life on Earth is not a one way street. Over the years, I have found this to be true. The same folks that DEMAND that you take them to the Super Bowl are often the same crowd that never even invited you to a pre-season game. Just because one sits in a classroom for years doesn’t mean they graduate with “class.”

My parents instilled in me early on to treat everyone with respect. The Bible is clear: “He that has friends must first show themselves FRIENDLY. It is imperative that we be Christ-like in all of our RELATIONSHIPS. NOTE: Don’t treat others nice to get but to GIVE. The greatest blessing is to BE a BLESSING. My Dad taught me on Capitol Hill “be nice to everyone because you never know who you are talking to.” Plus, the folks you meet going up the elevator (promotion) may very well be the same crowd you pass going DOWN (demotion).

In 1994-1995, I worked as a Doorkeeper for the United States Senate. We had 34 doorkeepers that literally “opened doors” for folks from around the globe to see firsthand our democracy at work. At that time the U.S. Senate employed over 5,000 employees but less than three dozen worked on the third floor of the U.S. Capitol as a doorkeeper. For the record – I aDORED that job! It was all in the wrist!! We had an OPEN DOOR policy!!!

Since trusting Christ as my Savior in 1979, I have honestly tried to be the extended arms of Christ and see others through the lense of my Lord. I strive to see souls as my Savior sees society. I was also taught if you befriend the folks NO ONE wants to know then God will introduce you to the folks EVERYONE wants to know (relationships). Regardless if they were janitors or jocks, cafeteria workers or Congressmen, homeless or Hollywood my desire was to reach out and show God’s love.

The fact is EVERYONE needs ENCOURAGEMENT. Working in Washington was no different. From police officers to our President if God put me in front of them I didn’t want to waste an opportunity to be a mini-Christ (Christian). Not just in name but deed. Three men had the high honor to work on the second floor of the U.S. Senate. Again, the Senate staffed 5,000 but 34 doorkeepers worked on the third floor but only THREE worked daily with all 100 Senators.

One was “Tinker” from West Virginia and he was 71 years old. The other was Mr Thomas and he was 67 and had been on staff since the Eisenhower Administration. Then we had Mike, 29 and a law student from Maine. The difference with these three (opposed to all other staff) Presidents and senators come and go but these three were life long appointees. Their primary goal was to serve as bi-partisan figures to ensure protocol at all times on the U.S. Senate floor while in session.

We would often share the same break room and ocassionally I would see them in the hallways at the Capitol. When God would place them in my path I would say “hi.” We grew as friends and while I worked on the third floor in the balcony they took care of business below. Several of the staffers were so jealous of their position and proximity to power they would be kind to them to their face but stabbed them in the back. Some staffers avoided them all together. Sadly, some want you to do well but not real well! HELLO

After all, they were there for “life.” Some actually said: “Why be nice to them – I will never get their assignment.” Friends, in the words of Zig Ziglar: “That is some stinking thinking!” Again, everyone needs ENCOURAGEMENT and everyone needs God’s grace. NOTE NUMBER TWO: We don’t reach out to folks for a reward but the reward itself is reaching out and building up.

Over time, I noticed Tinker would go out of his way to say hi to me. He once confided with me on break before he went back on the floor to interact with some of the world’s most powerful people on the planet: “Frank, when you say “hello” I know its sincere. Its lonely in leadership and some are nice to get something and others couldn’t be kind if it were to save their life.” That hit me and blessed me and it was worth more than gold to me. Friends, people NOT position is the PROMOTION.

One day while on post, I got a note from my supervisor that the Senate Sergeant at Arms (The Hon Howard Greene (R) wanted to see me in his office – RIGHT AWAY! The Sergeant at Arms was appointed by all 100 U.S. Senators. He received the same pay as them and Senators are elected by their constituents but Senators collectively appointed him. This is the same man during the “State of the Union” when the whole world is watching goes in with the House Sergeant at Arms and says: “Mr Speaker, The President of the United States” as the chamber erupts into applause and a standing ovation. My political career was just starting and as it flashed before my eyes I thought it was over. You think going to the principal’s office is SCARY trying going to the office with the guy who hangs out with Presidents.

My knees are like jello, my palms drip like Niagra Falls and my memory is racing with what in the world I may have done wrong? Forget HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM because I knew I was in D.C. but felt like I was going down! Did I say something to some stranger on the elevator and now about to hear the words pre-Donald Trump: “You’re Fired?!” I open room S-321 to his majestic office in the U.S. Capitol Building (my favorite) and greeted by his mirade of secretaries. They don’t look upset (that is good). Actually, they were really nice (calm before the storm) and then they open his thick mahogony doors of his office overlooking the breath-taking view of the National Mall with the Washington Monuement and Lincoln Memorial in the distance. He takes out his un-lit cigar, shakes my hand and tells me to take a seat in his palatial office.

He then says: “Frank, you know Michael (age 29) from Maine – one of the three staff who works on the Senate Floor?” Fortunately, he didn’t scream, he didn’t hand me a pink slip and didn’t kick me out the door. Pleasantly surprised I said: “Yes sir, I know Michael.” He proceeds: “Frank, as you may know Michael, Tinker & Mr Thomas’ positions are life long appointments. However, on rare ocassions we have to fill a slot. Frank, he (Mike) elected to return to law school to complete his degree and we wish him well.” At this time, he had my un-divided attention and then hit me with this: “Frank, because of the prestige of the position and proximity to power and the duration of the tenure I called both “Tinker” and Mr Thomas to pick anyone they want out of the 5,000 plus employees to replace Michael. I could have selected someone myself, pick a law graduate or settled a political favor for a politician but I told them since they would have to work daily with the new hire that they pick whoever they want (especially since they have to LIVE with the decision).”

Then he says music to my ears: “Frank, without hesitation and in unison both men told me – GET FRANK SHELTON, JR!” Holy smokes!! I went from worrying about my job to obtaining my dream job at that time working daily, 12-14 hours per day with all 100 United States Senators on the second floor of the United States Capitol as C-Span filmed LIVE. It is one thing to work for a Senator but very few could say they worked for all 100 and the VP on a daily basis. Half the day we would serve the Republicans and the other half assist the Democrats. What an honor to assist, interact and serve daily folks like Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC), Senator John Glenn (D-OH), Senator Bob Dole (R-KS), Senator Edward M Kennedy (D-MA), Senator Orin Hatch (R-UT), Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC), Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA) and the entire Senate Family. He then said: “Frank, do you accept?” I am so slow it takes me two hours to watch 60 Minutes but I didn’t have trouble saying: “Yes sir!” He said in closing: “Frank, this is the position I started out and congratulations but don’t dissapoint me.” Lord knows, I didn’t want to dissapoint this guy but more importantly I didn’t want to dissapoint God or my parents in the process.

On April 12, 1995, God strategically placed me when the Senate Sergeant at Arms appointed me to serve as “floor staff” replacing Michael and considered the youngest in modern memory to hold that position. Some call it faith, others favor but God did it all enabling me to meet and minister to FRIENDS along the way. Without question, it is ALL God’s grace. My life is just a pawn on God’s chess board and I long to let Him move me wherever He wishes. I am just a servant to my Savior but its the only title worth having.

Relationships are like flowers. You need to water them frequently for them to grow. Life is not a one way street, sow into the lives of others and then watch God bring the harvest. Again, we don’t do kind things to “kiss up” but to serve all the Lord puts in our path. All the people that I know who have truly succeeded in life are amazing at relationships. No man is an island and God didn’t want Adam to be alone and you are no different. This post is not implying try to meet important people but we must realize that every person is IMPORTANT to God.

Life is too short to have enemies and like Smitty sings: “A life is not too long to live as friends.” Cultivate your relationships because they’re a gift from God. People need the Lord and its lonely living life alone. Plus, life is a fight and when you are in a battleship it is good to have some relationships.