From high in the church tower of their small town, Elsa Schiaparelli’s father taught his daughter an important truth. He said, “Look, Elsa, there is more than one way to the square.”
Years later, Elsa took her fashion designs to Paris, but could interest no one. Eventually she thought: if no fashion house will buy my designs, why not make and sell them on my own? She knitted a sensational sweater and wore it to a fashion luncheon. A major store buyer ordered 40 that day!
This is Howard Butt Jr. of Laity Lodge. Elsa’s challenges did not end with her new orders, but many of her fears did. She had relearned her father’s lesson. There is more than one route to every goal—in the high calling of our daily work.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.”
— Proverbs 4:25-26
