by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
A friend and I were having lunch after church on Sunday and she asked me a question that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. In light of the Penn State incident, we had previously discussed that morning as members of the prayer team, the actions we needed to take if a child told us someone was sexually molesting them.
I asked her what she would do if a child came to her with something like that. She gave some great answers.
Then…
She asked me this question:
“What would you have wanted someone to say to you?
I’m not sure I was prepared for it as I tried to choke back my tears and finish my Thai food. She was asking a deep question I’m not sure I have ever thought about until that moment. I was immediately brought back to a small child, remembering times I myself had been molested.
What would I want them to say to me?
As I continue to think about the question, a few things come to mind.
- I would want someone to hold me tightly in their arms and let me know that I was safe. Not with their words, but the feeling of being safe with them.
- I would want the protection of my father, with the belief that as long as he was there no one could hurt me.
- I would want them to tell me I wasn’t a bad person and that even though I was going through this abuse I did NOTHING to deserve it.
- I would have wanted someone to tell me about this man named Jesus. How it hurt him to know that I was being hurt. How he loved me with an everlasting love and that I could accept his love, despite the pain I was going through at that moment.
Though I know all of this now I can’t help but wonder how different things would be had I known then. Not that I would take any of it back. It has made me who I am today. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t wonder.
by | Life Application
photo credit: karim rezk (creative commons)
Yesterday I discussed building your gratitude muscle.
I promised I would share with you one of the ways I hold onto that gratitude. In Tommy Newberry’s book The 4:8 Principle, he recommends filling out 4:8 questions every morning and every night. Though it didn’t start to work for immediately, the results didn’t take long to show. I was finding little things to be grateful for and I didn’t have time for the negative things.
I mixed up his recommendation to suit me better and here it is. I hope you enjoy.
4:8 QUESTIONS
Morning:
- What are five things I am thankful for right now?
- What are my strengths, and how can I use them today?
- What are three of my recent victories, and who was blessed as a result?
- What relationships could I affect positively today?
- What am I excited about experiencing over the next twelve hours?
Evening:
- What worked well for me today?
- In what ways could I increase my service in the next twenty-four hours?
- What are five of my best achievements so far?
- Who could I encourage or appreciate tomorrow?
- What blessings surround me?
Join the conversation. What are some other questions you could add to this list? Comment below…
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Everything that needs to be said is in the photograph that stays on my refrigerator:
by | Life Application
photo credit: aithom2 (creative commons)
I’m sure you have found yourself buying something simply because it was cheaper in price. I definitely have. That’s what I grew up being taught. As a matter of fact, the only name brand thing around our house was Jif peanut butter.
But…
Cheaper isn’t always the best choice.
Yesterday I experienced this. An event I was planning to attend was moved up a week and my business cards haven’t arrived yet. I needed to get some made ASAP. The printing company I usually use couldn’t get the cards printed in time. So I called my next choice,whom I have also used in the past.
The customer service rep cut me off in mid-sentence. After I asked him if he could provide the services I needed, he said in a dry voice, “I’ll do my best.” He offered to make 50 business cards for a great price, but he couldn’t tell me that the quality would be what I wanted. I didn’t expect him to over promise, but he didn’t sound remotely interested in assisting me.
I decided to try one more company. The phone was answered by an enthusiastic voice ready to serve. I told her what I needed and she graciously agreed she could provide. Not only that, but she oferred various options to help the cards look even better. The downside? I had to place a larger order and the price was quite a bit more than I originally wanted to pay.
However…
Her voice sold me. Her enthusiasm captured my attention. Her willingness to make business about the customer made the decision quite easy.
It isn’t just about the price. It’s about the quality.
Join the conversation. Have you decided on quality over price? For what reason? Comment below…
by | Life Application
photo credit: metro transportation
We have always been taught that the customer is always right. I’m not so sure I agree with that. Her are my thoughts:
The customer should always be the focus, but the customers isn’t always right.
I recently received an email regarding a client I represent. The customer was not happy with the product she received. She proceeded to tell me so by talking to me like a was a five-year old. Her tone and her words showed me immediately that there were some serious issues in this woman’s heart.
I am learning to set boundaries in my life, and that includes the way I allow others to talk to me. I think we forget that though we can’t control others, we can control what we allow ourselves to be exposed to. After taking a moment to compose myself before replying and saying what my flesh really wanted to say, this was part of my reply, after apologizing for her inconvenience:
If you are willing to review our product perhaps we can work something out. However, we will have to work on our communication together. Though I appreciate your forwardness in your email, some of your statements may not be necessary to do business together. We want our customers to be happy, but we also set boundaries in maintaining respectful communication.
She didn’t receive that well.
Her reply was just as rude as the one before. Do I regret sending her that email? Absolutely not. I maintained respect for the customer but also boldy, with grace, stood my ground on how I operated.
Being rude is not necessary and it may get you want you want in the beginning, but the end always turns out rough. I know because I have been on both sides. I have cussed out customer service reps when I didn’t get my way and I have been cussed out. Both sides are ugly. I thank God for the heart change He has done in me.
Next time something doesn’t go your way think about how you will handle the situation before you do so. Remember, you are always setting an example for someone, whether good or bad.
Do you have any customer service experiences, good or bad, to share? Leave a comment below…
by | Life Application
photo credit: cafe press
Allow me to introduce myself…
I’m a sophisticated redneck.
What does that mean exactly? Notta clue. Perhaps it means that I’m a redneck who moved to the city. Maybe it means I add some class to the word “ain’t.” I really have no idea.
There have been people in my life who have tried to change me. I’m sure that never goes away. I always want to improve myself. We all should. Some women think the perfect love song comes from Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, Elton John. The list goes on..
Me? I happen to think one of the greatest love songs out right now is Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee.” I love it. I love everything about it. As I listened to this song tonight I started thinking. There are some things in my that I don’t mind changing, (like the mullet I had in high school), but there are some things that will always be me.
- flip-flops
- long sleeve shirts with the sleeves rolled up
- snakes (except rattlesnakes – there’s another story for another day)
- country music
- the windows down on a sunny day
- trucks
- country music
- the word “ain’t” with a twang when i get fired up and feeling feisty
- fishing
- did i mention country music?
Are you comfortable with you who are?
Enjoy Blake Shelton with me. Click here..
What’s your favorite love song? Leave a comment below…
