To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. – Colossians 1:27

If you read this space often you already know how much I enjoy cooking. But I haven’t had my “A-game” in the kitchen lately, plus we have a lot going on, so – at the same time that I am happy to have a great cooking space to play in – I am also extremely grateful for the people who own, and run, and work in so many good restaurants that we enjoy.

So I think this post is about simply being thankful for the people who serve us in so many ways. I have observed too much over the past few years in the way of customers who are rude and unreasonable and entitled; I think we all need to give a big SHOUT OUT to the folk we interface with, day-in and day-out, who are usually doing their best and just trying to make ends meet.

School teachers, grocery store clerks and managers; wait staff; the police officer directing traffic; delivery drivers; customer service reps; the folk at the cash register…

Instead of complaining, and demanding, and talking down to, and impatience, and ignoring while we are on our devices, and curt responses, and more… how about the following:

Eye contact, kindness, respect, thanks, use of their name, patience, encouragement, grace, blessing, generosity….

We have this opportunity, every day to “be the presence of Christ” in the lives of every person we meet. It is a simple concept, but so very powerful.

Here’s the question: “The people I run into today; is our interaction going to teach them anything about the love of Jesus?”

In love, and because love does not lecture, it invites – DEREK