More on Marketplace Christianity

I have a ttl (true to life) story to tell you!

As soon as I posted my blog yesterday, I made a McDs run for the No. 2, large fries, large Diet Coke- (not my fasting day!). I pull in, and "Hallelujah!"- there is no one in line.

[Now, for those of you who just by chance happen upon this blog, I live in the Delta. The Delta is not known for its quality customer service in the fast food chains.]

I drive straight through to the intercom and vaguely hear the lady say something. So, I assume she has welcomed me to McDonalds and asked me what I would like to order. I rattle off in my chirpy little voice, "I would like a No. 2 please with a Large Diet Coke. And..... (I can't believe I am admitting this!) a cinnamelt, too!"

I am drooling over the thought of my order. It is 1:00 pm and I haven't eaten. I know I am NOT going to eat BOTH cheeseburgers and the cinnamonmelt, but I have the option! I am waiting for my order to just "appear" on the little screen thing. I wait.

I wait a little longer.

I wait some more.

By now, I am not sure what to do. Am I an idiot? Did she just say they were closed or something? Or did she ask me to call 911 because they were being robbed? Or did she say please wait while I eat my burger? There are cars backed up to the busy street. I am sure someone is about to start honking at the goofy person just looking at the blank screen.

So, in my sweet voice - trying not to sound like a complete airhead-

I ask, "Hell000-000?" (notice I was very careful to put more "oooos" in there..)

Nothing.

Hmmmmm. What do I do???

I decide to go ahead and drive to the payment window.

As I pull up, the little girl runs up. She has a worried look on her face and begins apologizing profusely in a very kind and sweet manor.

My heart went out to her immediately. What I saw in her eyes were a thousand customers in her past, ranting and raving on why they were not served more promptly.

I told her that was fine and it was no big deal. She took my order and my money and I proceeded to window number 2 to get my order number 2! (Still drooling over my fries and cinnamelt!)

The next lady is very kind and quickly gives me my order. I see a manager in the background.

That is when I get the idea!

I asked for the manager.

All expressions pale. Mouths shut firmly and jaw muscles tighten.

Again, my heart ached for them.

The manager came with a plastered smile on her face ready for the bombardment of complaints.

I smiled my biggest grin and began to complement the first young lady for her sweet spirit and kind words regarding my wait. I told her that I didn't mind the wait in the first place, but since she was so thoughtful about it, I was impressed.

The manager blinked. Looked very close at me- (Was she checking to see if I was on drugs or something?) Then she exhaled and broke out into a heartwarming smile. She mentioned something about thank you and appreciation and I drove off.

With my window still down I left to enjoy my feast. Before she closed her porthole I heard her exclaim to the young lady in the back, "You got a complement!"

Why have I gone to all of this detail to share this story with you?

Because in those moments after my wait, I realized that we, as Christians, don't make as big of a difference, I think, as Christ would like for us to, in our "marketplaces".

When we are in the marketplace of life, do we "demand" better service more than we complement those that serve us?

Do we tip well at restaurants?

Do we return our buggies to the shopping cart corral? (my personal pet peave)

Do we smile at strangers in the aisles?

Do we offer to help others?

Do we pray for the car next to us at the stop light?

My 11 year old exemplified a pure Christ-like spirit the other day. We were leaving the office and several friends had stopped by for errands. I was late picking up my son and needed to hurry. My Mack wasn't in the car. Thinking she was visiting with a buddy, I loudly told her we needed to get gone. I then looked over to see her helping an elderly lady with a large package into her car. Was I ever embarrassed! Mack had stopped her chatting to run and help someone else. (Beam! Beam!)

I have more to say on this subject, but I will wait until Friday. So, stay tuned for Part 3 of my ramblings on Marketplace Christianity!

love you all!

dorinda