Yesterday I pulled into a fast-food joint for a burger (yes,
I know those things will kill you). While my stomach was empty I was full of
optimism as I carefully placed my order through the faceless drive-in. "A
number one with cheese, no tomato,
and a Dr. Pepper". The person repeated the order back to me "A number one with
cheese, no tomato, and a Dr. Pepper".
I naively thought to myself "They're going to get my order correct!" I pulled
forward, paid for my order, and they handed me the sack with the receipt attached.
I rarely ever check the receipt but I did this time and wasn't disappointed.
The order clearly stated "minus Tomato".
I was brimming with pleasure and satisfaction as I reached
in to get my burger. What's that? It feels too big, too heavy. Oh no, not again...
Yep, you guessed it. I lifted the bun to find three large slices of a tomato
sunk deeply into the cheese and soaked into the bun. My spirits fell, I was
dejected, wronged once again. What started with such hope and promise ended
just like every other trip I've made through a drive-thru. I like tomatoes as
much as George Dubya likes broccoli.
Why do we even bother customizing our order at a drive thru?
Why are these businesses and employees so indifferent? Is it a lack of training?
A lack of knowledge or tools? Or a lack of motivation and emotional
connectedness to their work?
Do you feel under qualified for your work? I do. Could you
use more training? I could. Do you believe that more money for the proper tools,
software and personnel is needed? I do. However, if you think about it, we'll
always feel that way regardless of what opportunities or resources are at our
disposal.
What we need most of all is to remember who we work for.
Regardless of whether you flip burgers, gather trash, write software, lead
people, teach children, or preach the word - we all should work as if we're
working for the Lord not for men. God expects our best, our very best. I believe
it's a good thing and a God thing to sweat the small details. Seek out
excellence not just enough to get by.
This is one of the reasons I love working for Fellowship
Tech. Sure there are times we must compromise, make concessions, or we fall
short of our goals or others' expectations. However, our standards remain high.
We have 100s of areas in which we are seeking to improve but I can assure you
that our staff is committed to excellence, committed to a Colossians 3:23
attitude.
So next time leave off the tomato, go the extra mile, strive
for excellence.
God bless,
Curtis S