FIRST IMPRESSIONS ..... OR ..... What Does Your "Readability" Say About You?

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

While browsing through craigslist, I came across this listing under "rideshare." my name is jared and iam trying to earn some money by driving around the area and helping who ever needs help if you do not have a car or you need something to be drop off or pick up i can do the job the right way the first time i am dependable and trust worthy i have clean driving record clean cut and respectful 30 years old and can lift up to 250 easy please call #916-627-6795.tHanks

I used the spelling and grammar tool to find out the "readability statistics," which looked like this:

I spent about 4o seconds editing the listing to come up with this:

My name is Jared and I am trying to earn some money by driving around the area and helping who ever needs help. If you do not have a car or you need something to be dropped off or picked up I can do the job the right way, the first time. I am dependable and trust worthy. I have a clean driving record, am clean cut, and respectful. I am 30 years old and can lift up to 250 pounds easily. Please call me at #916-627-6795. Thank You

The new readability statistic looked like this:

I recently took a writing class, and the instructor was telling us how amazed she is at the resumes that she's reviewed recently. Since so many people are using text messages these days, emails have begun to be written like text messages. She noted (and I agree) that it is very unprofessional to have abbreviations and such in business writing. Therefore, many people are losing out on their dream job because of the bad first impression they are making on a prospective employer.

It made me stop and think a minute about my first impression on those I meet.

When they first see me do they think of me as:

* a Christian * a godly woman * modest * classy * friendly

or, instead - do they see someone who is:

* upset * frustrated * tired of traffic * unfriendly * dressed like a bum

Matthew 7:15-20 (King James Version) states:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

What kind of fruit do people see on the tree of my life?

Proverbs 18:24 says "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

When people see me do I appear friendly? Do I have a good spirit? Can they sense Christ living within me? Am I portraying His righteousness? Am I giving His love to those around me?

It made me think. May it also make you think today.

Have a blessed day!

Rhonda