For two summers before graduating high school, I worked as a life guard in upstate New York at a resort. One of the unexpected responsibilities was to sometimes serve as the bellman and dinner waiter.
I truly enjoyed life guarding, but waiting tables took a very special effort. The guests of the resort were to be served in a special way. The owner had very specific instructions for the complete resort staff who worked the dining room.
The owner’s desires were clear and made a ton of sense. Enjoy caring for each guest and be genuine in your effort. While certainly challenging, the reward came in the response from the obviously appreciative guests and satisfied owner. No wonder she had so many repeat guests year after year.
Thirty years later, after establishing a successful practice as an appraiser, teaching thousands, and even being published in a book, I must admit: “With time to look back and reflect, no client I have ever known and no service I have ever performed means more to me than the resort owner and her many guests.’
A simple act of caring is a powerful expression of God’s compassion in our troubled world. The apostle John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Is there some “serving” you can do today?
A little kindness can make a big difference.
See you next Sunday.
MJ