Remember - Only Give'em What They Need

A young Minister and his family were transferred to a small rural community. On his first Saturday night, a major snow storm hit the area. When the Minister and his family awoke on Sunday morning, there was nearly a three foot blanket of snow outside. “Do you think we’ll be able to have a service today?” his wife asked. “No,” replied the Minister, “I don't see how anyone will be able to make it to church through all this snow.”

Well two minutes before the start of the scheduled service, the family heard a loud engine roaring in the distance. When the family ran to the windows they saw a farmer driving a big John Deere tractor and he was heading straight for the church. When the farmer arrived at the church he jumped down off the seat.

The Minister ran out to greet him and the farmer said:  “Reverend, “I hope you don’t mind me driving my tractor this morning but I just couldn’t make it through all this snow with my car.” Then the farmer realized the parking lot was empty and he was the only person at the church.

“Maybe you weren’t planning on holding services today” he inquired, “Not at all, we are glad you are here, please come in. We would be delighted to hold a service for you” replied the Minister. As they walked into the church his wife began to play the organ and his children, who were sitting in the choir loft, began to sing.

About an hour and one half later when the Minister finished his sermon he walked to the back of the church, stood by the door and personally thanked the farmer for attending his first service in his new community. 

Curious as to how he did, the Minister asked the farmer “Did you enjoy this morning's service?” “I sure did,” said Farmer Brown, “but to tell you the truth Preacher, it might have been just a bit too much.”

“Too much?” replied the Minister, “What do you mean to Much?" "Well you see Preacher I am just a simple farmer. The only responsibility I have is to feed my cows when they come in from the fields each night. Once in a while after a big storm like this, only a few cows will make it back to the barn. Whenever that happens, I never ever give them the entire load of hay. I only give'em what they need.”

Remember this when you are conducting business - only give the audience what they need. Too much can be too much and sometimes less is best.