by Cory MacNeil
This past week we took a cruise to the Bahamas and experienced some of the best customer service ever. Sadly, the people who waited on us make very little in the way of monetary compensation. However, on the upside, they are able to take what money they make and live very well in the countries they come from. That, in my opinion, is a good thing. The bad thing is that they work seven days a week for 6-7 months and put in very long days. I admire their strong work ethic but just wish there was an easier way for them. To make matters worse, you prepay all of your tips when you cruise and don't know where your dollars are actually going.
So how do you meet the needs of others beyond giving them cash?
In his classic book 'The Five Love Languages', Dr. Gary Chapman suggests the following ways:
1. Acts of Kindness.
2. Time.
3. Touch.
4. Words of Affirmation.
5. Gifts.
Chapman rightly argues that different people require different forms of love. My own personal love language (when I feel most loved by others) occurs when others make time for me and use words of affirmation. What is yours?
Some of you may feel loved when your spouse serves you breakfast in bed.
Some of you may feel loved when your Dad opts out of golf with his buddies to help you fix your kitchen sink.
Some of you may feel loved when someone you care about hugs you or puts their arm around you.
Some of you may feel loved when someone you esteem highly says: "Great Job!'.
And some of you feel loved when you receive a new ring or gift card from somebody.
Tweet this! Ultimately, love has always been and will continue to be our greatest commodity. We may run out of money, but we have an abounding source of something more precious than gold if we'll only learn to live and love creatively.
So how did I love on the people who served me while cruising? Eventually, my burden for and appreciation of them caused me to tip them above and beyond what I prepaid. However, aside from what I did for them financially, I gave them the best that I had to offer in the form of kindness and respect. By the end of the trip I truly felt as though they were friends.
On a good note, while tipping our cabin attendant I learned he was finishing his tour today and heading home for a couple of months to visit his wife and two young daughters! To say I was excited for him would be an understatement. Why? Because he had loved my family this week by ensuring that our cabin was well kept and organized.
The love we have and share with others can be traced back to it's source in God. "God SO loved the world, that He GAVE us Jesus!". God also says if we believe, He will give us the POWER to become the sons of God!".
As sons, we are like the Father who makes it rain on the just and the unjust. Unlike, MOST, we are to return good for ill. How can we do this? Perhaps a better question is 'How can we not?"
Chances are, you've encountered someone who is unloveable today or this past week. I promise that if you haven't you will SOON! Write it down. When you do, you'll be challenged (should you accept the challenge) to learn that person's love language and speak accordingly. As my good friend and pastor Roscoe Lilly is fond of saying: "WE CAN'T LEAD OUR ENEMIES TO CHRIST!" The best way to defeat your enemy is to make him or her your friend.
If I ever cruise again, I've made the decision to save ahead of time so that I will have copious amounts of cash to bless those who serve me. You may not be in a position to do that yourself, but I pray that regardless of where you go, you will be alert and sensitive to the ways God is trying to love others through you, be it via smile, handshake, kind words, etc. An amazing transformation is waiting in the wings for those who attempt to increase our Gross National Product of Love!
May the Lord bless you and make His face to shine upon you all the days of your life.
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