Once upon a time there lived a man whose name was Jose. His real name was Jose Gonzalo Rodrigues Eduardo Manuel Lopez. That's why everyone called him Joe. Joe was just a common variety man. He had one thing going for him ... he could make great chili! Boy oh boy, his chili was nourishing, tasty and, above all, it was hot! Joe became known for his chili. He loved to make it. He was good at it. In fact, it encouraged him to make even more specialties. He made great omelets, delicious casseroles. He became known as a good cook ... especially his chili! People loved it! Word got around, and eventually he was invited by the Committee of the International Food Fair (the C.I.F.F.) to take part in their upcoming Fair! Joe was thrilled! He accepted the invitation and circled this important date on his calendar. The Committee expressed their delight in his participation ... He would be a "blessing to many."

One week before the Fair, a letter came. It was to reconfirm his participation. The Committee again expressed their delight in his part with them ... and that they would all be looking forward to his Lemon Pie! Joe couldn't believe this. Lemon Pie? He looked again. Sure enough, he was down for lemon pie. The enclosed literature had his photo and a brief introduction along with his entry ... "Lemon Pie." Joe had never baked a lemon pie ... or any pie, for that matter. He really wasn't into deserts. Lemon Pie? He called the chairman of the Delectable Food Committee. The D.F.C. "Mr. Chairman, I thought I was down for chili. You have me down for lemon pie." Joe was assured they had someone for Chili and that they were counting on him for lemon pie. "Please make it sweet with lots and lots of meringue. That's what people like!" Joe hung up the phone and went to work researching lemon pies. He did reading. He baked and baked! He worked hard, long hours and as hard as he tried his pies came out just average!

The important day came, and Joe and his best lemon pie were there. His pie proved to be just average and met with polite applause. Alas, the chili was average, too. The one who ended up making the chili, well, his specialty was spaghetti! Neither was ever asked back to the International Food Fair again! Joe's chili and cooking are as popular as ever, and he keeps on cooking'

MORAL: Speakers, like Joe, have specialties. To call a man from his specialty to stretch into an area in which he is not gifted, is courting frustration, both for the speaker and for the occasion. At best you will have an "average" message. Most of us speakers don't like to deliver "average" messages. Select your subject, select your direction, select your "thrust" ... and then bring in the gifted speaker, selected because he is gifted and is strong speaker in the area of your need. A speaker has his specialty, be it "chili, spaghetti or lemon pie."

REMEMBER! If you want a good bowl of chili that's nourishing, tasty and, above all, hot! ... ask Joe! That's his specialty!!

CONCLUSION: Everyone wins when we encourage a person to continue doing what he does best!