My Pleasure

A certain fast food chain enforces customer service more than any other it seems.  With certain terminology as referring to diners as guests instead of customers, and saying "My Pleasure" instead of "You're welcome, " they have the market cornered on customer service.  They stress to their employees the importance of making a guest feel welcomed and going the extra mile to make their dining experience a pleasant one, in the hopes that they'll remember it and return.  And it works!  It's not surprising that this restaurant was founded on Christian principles by a devout Christian man who instilled a certain work ethic and attitude of service in all of his employees.  The chain has grown substantially since its humble beginning in 1946, but that work ethic and the keen eye for service still remains.  If you live in the South, I'm sure by now you've figured out that I'm talking about Chick-fil-A. 

My teenage daughter has been blessed by being able to begin her working career at Chick-fil-A.  I can think of no other establishment - fast food or otherwise - that would teach and instill in her the morals and values of work ethic and service that Chick-fil-A provides.  And being closed every Sunday to allow their employees time to worship and spend with their families is yet another example of their Godly foundation.  She loves her job - as much as any teenager can love a job anyway!  And she's worked there long enough now that the high standards that are required at work have become second nature to her.  The term, "My pleasure" is established in her vocabulary.  It's become habit, and she says it all the time without even realizing it. So much so that she often gets teased about it.  But what a wonderful habit to have!

How different would our lives be if we genuinely took pleasure in serving others?  When someone asks for a favor, don't we often mumble and complain about having to take time out of our schedules to do it?  When we are asked to serve at church, don't we sometimes feel more inconvenienced than blessed?  Or when we see a certain number pop up on our caller ID, don't we think, "Oh no, not her again!  Wonder what she wants this time!"  Doing for others, giving of our time, serving others, and especially serving Christ should be a pleasure, not a chore. 

The great thing is that when we serve with the right attitude, with the mindset that we are going to enjoy what we're doing for others, in the end we will be blessed just as much if not more so than the person we're doing for.  Being able to give of our time and talents to serve should be a blessing to us as well, and if we're doing it with the right approach, it will be. Sure we all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and wonder sometimes if we've put too much on our plates.  Maybe we've signed our name on one volunteer sheet too many.  We've said "yes," too many times.  It can be very easy to get stressed by all we've got to do sometimes.  But if we remember why we're doing what we're doing in the first place, and especially Who we're doing for, the joy will come and those tasks will soon turn into blessings.

And when someone offers or tries to do something for you - let them.  If you don't you're robbing them of their blessing by not allowing them to serve you.  Sometimes we get too proud and say, "I don't need them to do that.  I don't need anyone taking care of me or doing me any favors.  I can do it myself."  Well maybe you can do it all by yourself.  Maybe you're the very first person in the history of the world to go through life without needing anything from anyone else.  What a sad life that must be!  But maybe, just maybe, you're like the rest of us who can't do it all on our own.  We need people.  We need each other.  We need help.  Even if we don't need exactly what someone is offering at the exact time they are offering it, if we accept it with a grateful and humble heart, we will be blessed and will in turn allow them the opportunity to be blessed as well.  And when are we ever not in need of a blessing?

So the next time you offer to do something for someone, or the next time you add your name to that infamous volunteer sign-up sheet, smile and say, "My pleasure."  And if it truly is, get ready for a blessing!

"Serve the Lord with gladness..."  Psalm 100:2a (KJV)

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."  ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)