Exemplary Lives

This award is presented  annually to the photographer who earned the most ribbons in the "Advanced Division" during the competition, which is held each October.

One morning during my shift as a “Pink Lady” at our local hospital, I accepted a beautiful arrangement of flowers from a delivery person, who said, “Will you see that [name] gets these? She works in the dietary department.”

I hurried to the elevator, eager to do my small part in bringing delight to the recipient. When I exited, I saw the cafeteria manager standing in the hallway that led to the cafeteria. “Steve,” I said, “these are for [name], but I have no idea who she is or where I might find her.”

“I’ll be glad to take them to her. She’s washing pots and pans for us today.” He smiled. “She’s happy wherever she’s assigned, but these flowers will make her day. I’m glad someone sent them, for she deserves this special surprise. She’s one of the best employees I have.  Always arrives early for work. Does a really good job wherever we need her. And she gets along well with everyone.”

With a courteous nod, he headed off to deliver them. I was sorry I couldn’t go along and meet the exemplary employee—and see her happy face.

That experience came to mind a few weeks later as I listened to an online Bible study of the book of Titus. The teacher, Dr. Howard Hendricks, emphasized that every Christian has a ministry even if he is not serving on a church staff. No matter where we live and work, we are to be persons of integrity—living exemplary lives, and speaking and conducting ourselves in ways that honor our Lord.

A Christian should be the best employee that a company has, whether he holds a high or low position. That doesn’t necessarily mean he must be the most skilled or receive the most recognition, but it does mean his character should be the finest of anyone in that environment. Or, to borrow the phrase used in Titus 1:6, 7, a Christian should be “above reproach.” In other words, people should find no fault, no flaw, in his character.

As I reflected on that, I recalled a similar truth found in Proverbs 31, a Bible passage that describes an excellent wife. “She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (vv. 10b-12).

The writer of that passage then mentions some of the ways she ministers to/serves her husband and their family. While faithfully doing her work well, she displays strength, dignity, wisdom, kindness, etc.

Thus, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all’” (Proverbs 31:29-30a).

Because of her character, her commitment to excellence, and her faithfulness in serving others, she provides an excellent example for us as we relate to our employer, our co-workers, our family, and our friends.

Wherever we are, we have opportunities to show others that, having been born again/anew, we are indeed a new creation; the old things (old ways) have passed away and new ways have come. And now, we’ve been given the awesome privilege of serving as ambassadors for Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.)

Let’s be good ones—VERY good ones!

Note: This article was submitted for publication in the Sept. 2015 issue of Chapel Hill News and Views, a magazine that's published monthly in the Douglasville, Georgia, area. I've been a columnist for that magazine since Feb. 2008.

                 Happy Labor Day!

When the "Extras" Aren't Extra

One evening as I talked with a friend on my cell phone, I said, “James and I are having a wonderful time, but we are sooooo tired. Traveling over a thousand miles by car, plus sleeping in a different hotel room each night and having to lug our ‘stuff’ in and out every day has about worn us out.”

That was the truth! And since we had overnighted in ten different rooms (with three more to go!), I had noticed the difference in the quality of the services provided at each location, even though all the rooms had cost about the same.

For example, one place offered freshly baked cookies to weary travelers checking in for the night. In another establishment, guests could sit in comfy chairs in the spacious lobby and listen to a local musician play soothing music on the piano.

Some of the hotels provided “high end” travel-size soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, as well as thick, white, spa-like towels; others provided only shampoo and soap and rather dingy, almost threadbare (but, thankfully, clean!) towels.

Speaking of bathrooms…several were spacious, well-lit, and equipped with wonderful shower heads, good water flow, and grab bars. Others were quite small, especially the one in the log cabin where we stayed one night. That one was not only tiny but was also very dimly lit, due in part to the dark brown quarry tile on the floor and in the shower.

Some beds had snow-white sheets with a crisp finish, as if they’d been ironed. Other beds had well-worn bedding.

Some rooms reflected a designer’s touch, while others were furnished with what was popular years ago. For example, one bathroom had a mint green sink and toilet that had been installed in the 1950s.

Some of the hotels offered complimentary deluxe breakfasts. Others provided only cereal, pastries, juice, and coffee—or nothing.

As I reflected on the varied accommodations we’d had, I recalled this information I’d come across (and jotted down) while reading an on-line travel article before my husband and I had embarked on our two-week vacation: “Drury, a family-owned group of 120 hotels in the Midwest and South, has modest rates, and manages to give guests a lot for their money. The chain’s motto is “The extras aren’t extra” and guests can depend on free hot breakfasts, WiFi and an early-evening gathering with hot appetizers and beverages.” (Copied from http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/why-travelers-are-fed-up-%E2%80%93-and-what-hotels-can-do-about-it.html)  
Although I’ve never had the privilege of staying in a Drury-owned hotel, I’d like to. And if all hotels and motels followed Drury’s example and included “the extras” in the basic services they offer, their guests would enjoy traveling far more and would be “repeat customers.”

Actually, doing more than is required isn’t a new concept. The Bible, written centuries ago, instructs us to go the extra mile, to pursue excellence, to put the needs of others before our own, etc. When we do that, people will notice (and appreciate!) our commitment to excellence—and be inspired by it.