customers

Later today, I am going to the funeral of the man pictured here, a friend. I have known this man for probably 54 years. After I heard the news last Friday evening, I was latter on Facebook. A lady from his church posted his obituary and arrangements. Below her post, people who knew him, started remembering, and honoring him. They commented about his smile, his kindness, his servant’s heart, and his laughter. They were good words.

I begin reflecting on this out pouring of love, and thought about what kind of life one lives that moves people to respond as they were. It didn’t take long for the answer to appear in my heart.

First, and foremost, you love. You love God, and then love others. You chose to ignore what other people say about someone, and you love them anyway.

Secondly, you show kindness. You show it at work, at church, in your community, and at home. With customers, family and friends.

Third, you serve others, which really is “love” in action. One man posted how my friend came and got them after their car would not start.

You do all this, not to receive kind words spoken or written about you when you die, but because this is the example Christ demonstrated for us while he walked the earth. It’s simply the kind of life God calls us to.

⁷I have fought an excellent fight. I have finished my full course with all my might and I’ve kept my heart full of faith. ⁸There’s a crown of righteousness waiting in heaven for me, and I know that my Lord will reward me on his day of righteous judgment. And this crown is not only waiting for me, but for all who love and long for his unveiling. 2 Tim. 4:7-8 (TPT)

In the above verse, Paul compares living life on earth as a race. It’s not a competition though with others to see who finishes first, second, or third. And unlike youth community sports programs, not everyone will receive a participation trophy! It’s about reaching the finish line, with God, and in my friend’s case, he finished well.

071120 “I demand a new pair of jeans,” said the man holding a pair of Levis.

I had to ask, “What’s wrong with those?”

“Their flawed. The fabric has come apart. See?” he replied.

I looked at the spot he was pointing to. “Sir,” I responded, “Those are ripped. You must have gotten them caught on something.”

“I did no such thing,” he insisted as he started stomping around displaying his anger.

I was about to enlighten this man that when denim rips, it does so in an “L” pattern, like the one on his blue jeans. But before I could get the words out of my mouth I heard, “Mark, I’ll take it from here.” The words were spoken by the store manager, Jim.

Jim looked at the jeans. His fingers rubbed across the ripped area feeling the loose strings. He then looked at the tag over the right back pocket taking in the waist size and the length. He looked at the man square in the eyes, and said, “One moment.” Jim walked over to where we kept the Levis and he retrieved a brand new pair. When he returned to the sales counter he placed them in a shopping bag and handed them to the man. He smiled at him and said, “Here you go sir. Thank you for your business.”

I didn’t understand and started to ask Jim, “Why”, but Jim said to me, “Wait.” After the man left the small clothing store, in the small town, Jim turned and said to me, “Sometimes it is better to give a customer what they want, even when you know they are lying. You see, that man is satisfied. He knows he made a mistake, but he didn’t want to pay for it. He will return to do more shopping here.” I stood there, letting the words sink in, and then Jim said, with an old, wrinkled smile on his face, “And besides, I can send those jeans back and get refunded.” Jim was the man in charge, and Jim knew what could be done, and when.

Here’s the thing, all of us have made mistakes we don’t want to pay for. Some even deny it. God is the one in charge of everything. He will run his finger over the rip in your life feeling the loose disconnected strings. He will walk you over to a shelf where your new life sits. He will smile and offer it to you. You may be wondering how you can pay for it. Will your good deeds be enough? No, so how can you take it?

God will tell you how he gave his only son, Jesus to die on a cross and how his death pays for your new life. Then he will encourage you to accept this free gift. So if you are feeling lost, depressed, forgotten, or hopeless ask to speak to the one in charge. Receive his free gift of salvation. After doing so, I assure you, things will look up, and you will feel satisfied.

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

He Finished Well

I Want to Speak to the One in Charge