One cold, stormy night, an elderly couple walkedinto a hotel in Philadelphia. They were looking for a room to spend the night. This hotel was fully booked due to a conference in town. “We usually try to accommodate clients that we cannot help at other hotels,” George, the friendly receptionist started, “but unfortunately nothing is available due to the conference.”

 

The couple turned around to leave when George devised a plan. "Wait a minute," he called them back. "I may have a solution." He suggested that they spend the night in his room. "It is not as luxurious as a hotel's room," he smiled, "but you will at least be comfortable." Initially, the couple protested. Where will the poor clerk sleep? George,however, assured them that he had to finish a lot of work and the elderly couple accepted his offer.

 

When the couple greeted the tired George the next morning, the man said: “Young man, someone like you should run the best hotel in America. Who knows, maybe one day I'll build it for you? ” George just smiled and greeted them. 

 

Three years later, George receives a letter in the mail - with a note and a return ticket to New York. It was from the elderly man. He invited George to visit him.

 

In New York, George walked up to the man at the spot they agreed to meet. Smiling, the elderly man said to George: “Hello George. My name is William Waldorf Astoria.” He pointed to the hotel with reddish stone some distance from them and said, "I built this hotel on the corner and I would like you to become my first manager. Are you interested?"

 

This was George Charles Boldt's (1851-1916) great breakthrough. Not only did he turn the William Waldorf Astoria into one of the most popular hotels in America; he himself became a millionaire who played a major role in the development of the hotel industry in America.

 

In Psalm 16:6 we read: “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance.” It is also written in Luke 16:10: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

 

Our attitude determines our altitude. May we pass each test so that we can receive the inheritance God has measured out for us. We never know when a "William Waldorf Astoria" may cross our path. God bless.

 

 

 

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