Here is a the newsletter that we sent out this morning.
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Dealing With Those That Serve Us
Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
This scenario I'm about to paint may make some of us feel guilty, but that is NOT the point. Ready?
You walk into a coffee shop, and the barista asks in a VERY polite manner, "Good morning, thanks for coming in! What can we get started for you?"
No imagine the words that come out again and again and again from people ALL around us, in coffee shops and restaurants. "Yeah, I want the..." or my next favorite: "Gimme the..."
sigh
This interaction irritates the person who is trying to politely serve you. That irritation boils until it spills over at their house at night and they vent or take it out on family or friends. It makes the customer FEEL important. It makes the customer FEEL in charge. It makes the customer FEEL great. Are those feelings actually true? Even if they were, how is this helping anyone except the customer?
This week, we'd like to encourage you: have a seat at the dinner table with your teen. Walk through this interaction, and ask their thoughts on the phrasing of it all. Ask if they are ok with it, or if they would change something.
Our goal is to change how we interact with others and to show love and compassion. The words, "May I please..." go a LONG way in building relationships in life, and they have a place in this scenario.
Chat with your teen about being grateful to those who serve us, being on an even footing with them and not trying to be above them. Perhaps discuss the sort of employer you would like each day: one who demands, or one who is appreciative and says please/thank you.
Finally, if there is a different interaction (besides a food server) that comes to mind, go for it! The goal is a spirit of love and compassion, of gratitude and servitude. The goal is to remove a spirit of "being above" or having to feel powerful and in charge.
The attached video can really help with your conversation at home! A couple of "wrong/rude" ways to approach those who serve, and then a "right/polite" way.
The biggest takeaway from your conversation with your teen? Interacting with love and compassion, as every single person has value. We ALL have worth, as we are all God's creation.
Have fun with this one!