I find it interesting when I realize new learning. Reflecting on how the pieces came together is an intriguing part of the process for me. This past week I gained insight about my expectations and my stress level. Both of which relate to how I love myself and others. Being a lifelong learner, living in expectancy can be challenging and is always a joy!

The Negative Encounter

I decided to call in an order to a restaurant that carried an item I had a taste for. I remembered that I had left the restaurant before due to poor service. I went back five years later wanting things to have changed, alas they had not. After enduring similar service again I asked for a refund of the money I had paid for my phantom order, which never appeared and left shaking my head. I was disappointed and even hungrier. I thought about making a call to management about the customer no service I encountered.

Then I asked myself, why?

The service at this restaurant seemed to have been poor since it opened. Yet they still exist. The customers that keep its doors open apparently are not going there for the service.

I decided to go to the grocery store, fighting off the desire for that special entrée.

I Returned to the Homework

Deciding to give it another try, this time I called in my order. Because I had underestimated the slowness of traffic I arrived about 15 minutes after the indicated meal preparation time. This bothered me because I prefer my meals piping hot. No problem, when I arrived my order was not ready.

I paid the cashier. The person bagging my food realized I had been overcharged. When he informed the cashier, she glared at me as if I had misled her about my order. She quizzed me twice more about the details of my order. Still eyeing me incredulously.

As I left the restaurant the bagger (who returned the overpayment) very cordially gave me my food. While I walked away he addressed the cashier using profanity. I am certain he knew I was still in earshot.

My food was hot by the time I got home. It hit the spot and was not lessened by the poor service I experienced.

I was reminded of an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld where customers went to a restaurant that sells great soup served with a side of rude customer service. The restaurant became famous for the food and infamous service.

How the Pieces Came Together

Later that evening Hebrews 12:14 came before me as if I were directed to it. The passage in the King James Version is as follows: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Word study and meditation revealed the passage of scripture as rhema word to me: Pursue without hostility a harmonious relationship between men and women. Along with that pursuit be progressively transformed into God’s likeness. Apart from that no one will see the one to whom we belong.

I saw how the pieces fit. I learned the correlation between my experiences that day and love (for myself and my neighbor). I realized that I chose to interact with the staff by pursuing a harmonious relationship. Yes I was the paying customer, yes they were providing less than good customer service!

Indeed I had chosen to respond to them as if they were doing the best that they could do. I chose to treat them with respect, with love. Even though they may have appeared to deserve less. I allowed their inappropriate and unprofessional actions to be their challenge, and not mine.

Indeed I could have complained about: the wait time, the attitude of the cashier, the profanity used by the bagger and numerous other violations of good customer service.

However, I made a decision to interact with them in a loving way, despite how I was treated. I chose to set the stage to create a positive outcome for myself and them, with no regrets. I pursued my desired outcome. A win-win. Loving myself and my neighbor!

As I continue to seek with expectancy new ways to give glory to God He does not disappoint. Being a lifelong learner remains a joy! I move forward with this new lesson under my belt recognizing more guidance is yet to come.

Take Inventory and Take Action.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”