I am a manager at Darrell Waltrip Honda in Franklin, TN. I had a tree in my yard growing a little off-center. It wasn’t enough to cause any immediate issues or even be an eyesore, but I knew that if it wasn’t addressed immediately with a little guidance and direction, then that tree would one day grow crooked and the damage would be irreversible.

That experience made for a wonderful analogy for me on the importance of serving as a spiritual mentor for the next generation. It was a great example of the same kind of guidance and leadership that my own father, also in auto sales, showed me growing up. For my father, you showed your faith through your actions and knew that authenticity trumped charisma any day.

It’s easy to think a crooked tree isn’t a problem to be solved today, but the investment today will pay off for a lifetime.