Customer Service, part Rambo (w/o the violence, haphazardness, and swearing)

“It is more blessed to give than to receive, but there is more grace in receiving than giving. When you receive, whom do you love and praise The giver. When you give, the same holds true.” -Jessamyn West, The Woman Said Yes (1976)

It is not natural or human, for one to think of serving another. In a world of apathy and self preservation, one has to be strategic and intentional about looking beyond one self.

Here are some of the things I have practiced:

• While at a restaurant or store, asking for the manager when an employee has done a great job
• Filling out a comment card for an employee, being specific on how they were helpful
• Telling the employee directly how much & why I appreciate them
• Asking my director of operations in my company if we could buy $5 starbucks gift cards for the employees who work with us out of state, and for anyone within the corporation who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us out (Everyone responded immediately with emails, voicemails and cards filled with gratefulness. We even had one lady from corporate cry b/c of the kind words given.–Yes that’s right folks, I make grown women cry.)
• Making eye contact, recognizing the employee as a person, and smiling
• Asking how I can pray for that person (if appropriate & available, praying with the person)

Things I have not done, but plan on doing:

• Buying $5-$10 gift cards to the mail person, Fed Ex, UPS folk who serve the company we work at on a regular basis– to thank them for their consistent help (who thinks to thank them, let alone interact with them (dave does a good job w/that, I am grateful and proud))
• Buying gift cards for servers/ employees who have done a great job, in addition to a good tip
• Buying coffee gift cards to those who are in the military, to thank them for their service and commitement
• Making a dessert for my local bank tellers (love them) and or local coffee haus family
• Making cookies for the local fire/ police department

So far, most of what I have thought of is connected to gift cards or food. Does anyone have any other ideas???

I am continually amazed and humbled by how a kind word or generous spirit can move people. These words and actions are not taken lightly or forgotten easily. People are generally on the defensive side when working with others, because the norm is selfishness, laziness, intolerance, and greed.

When one is in a position of service, that person has the ability to withhold grace. When one is in the place to receive, grace and generosity can flourish.

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