This week at work, I took a close look at what I actually accomplished in serving others. My personal goal has always been to be able to serve others without making it a task.  It should be something that comes natural and part of my daily routine.  It is so easy to get absorbed in “self” and what we want to accomplish.  This week I’d like to focus on 5 ways to serve others which are a little out of the ordinary that we may not have thought about when it comes to serving.

1.  “Be A Friend to Someone Who Doesn’t Deserve It”.  We know who these people are at work.  What we don’t know is what is going on in their lives.  Maybe they’ve made some wrong choices and need someone to help them get on the right track.  Reach out to them because you know that nobody else probably will.
2.  “Put Away Your Cell Phone in Conversation”.  We are all guilty of having the cell phone right on our desk when we visit with people.  Even if we don’t answer it, if it rings, beeps, or vibrates, we take our attention off the conversation even if it is brief.  Make it a point to tell them you need to turn off your phone because their conversation is important to you.
3. “Allow Others to Speak Before You”.  In a meeting you have scheduled, start by asking everyone to share their thoughts and ideas before you speak.  Let them know you want to hear what they are thinking, listen intently and take notes.  I truly believe taking notes when others are speaking shows a great deal of respect and in turn, they understand how important they are to the conversation.
4. “Buy Someone Lunch”.  Take a day in the next week to look for someone at work that you can take to lunch.  Not the same people you go with on a regular basis, but someone out of your comfort zone.  Who at work looks like they are struggling?  Who always eats in the cafeteria or break room and you know probably can’t afford to eat out?  Find that person and just invite them to have lunch with you.
5. “Hand Write a Thank You Card”.  One of my favorite things to do at work on a regular basis is to recognize someone through a card or note.  It can be recognition for anything as long as it is genuine.  “Congratulations on winning that award, Good Job on the presentation yesterday, I was really impressed with the way you handled that situation, I’m really proud of you for earning that promotion”.

A few weeks ago, one of my fellow co-workers experienced some unexpected major health issues and ended up needing open heart surgery.  It was a shock to everyone at the office as it happened so quick.  In the break room getting coffee the next morning, I heard several people talking about what they should do for him.  Does the family need any help?  Do you think he wants any visitors?  I listened throughout the day to many people asking me questions regarding how he was doing, and was he recovering ok.  The next morning, not as much talk as everyone went about their daily routine and every now and then someone would mention him, but he sure wasn’t the point of conversation today.  Everyone had moved on with their busy lives.

I struggled as well with what to do for those two days.  Heart surgery is a big deal and I didn’t know how I could help him or his family.  The third morning I drove to the hospital and went straight to his room.   He looked up and gave me a smile.   I went over to his bedside and said, “I didn’t know if you needed anything, but I thought I’d drop by and just check on you”.  He was so appreciative and said nobody but his family had been to visit.  He didn’t have the strength to say much and so I just sat in a chair in his room while he dozed in and out for about 45 minutes.

His wife came in, informed me that she had been running a few errands for the kids, and had to leave him alone for a little while.  She didn’t know who she could call to come sit with him since everyone was so busy.  I informed her that I was always available, just to call.  Her words that followed really made me appreciate the time I took out of my day to come see him, “Thanks so much, I didn’t want to interrupt anyone’s day and just didn’t know who to reach out to”.  She called me two more times over the next few days and asked  if I could do small errands for her which I was more than happy to do.

The point is….Don’t ever underestimate the power of just showing up when someone is in need.    During those times, people don’t always think clearly so sometimes you just need to show them you are there for them.  Often they won’t ask for help, but they really need it. This is especially true at work!

In honor of that day 20 years ago, we spent the entire day together just having fun. We reflected on the past 20 years. We looked at old pictures, we told stories, we laughed, we questioned why on a few things that have happened in our lives. We shared two fabulous meals. We visited the site of the soon to open world renowned Crystal Bridges Museum.

And then we went to the movies. But this was not just any movie. This was a movie about life. About the very fabric of why we are here. About our marriages, our children, our work, and our faith. About being COURAGEOUS in living with great purpose in each of those arenas of life.

You may be familiar with the organization that also brought us the movies Fireproof and Facing the Giants. These are powerful examples of using media to impact our culture in positive ways.

For men and women, but especially Dad’s, take the time this weekend to see this movie. I find it impossible to believe that your life at home and at work will not be profoundly impacted.

Proverbs 22:6

Often times I have felt at a loss for words.  A situation presents itself and it feels like I should say something, but I don’t  because I am scared that I will not say the right thing.   Good intentions and all, but the word of encouragement or the word of thankfulness does not ever make it to the intended recipient.

We constantly find ourselves in situations where we don’t exactly know what to say, so we say nothing.  I have learned however that it’s not what I say that really matters most of the time, but it’s the effort I made to say it that really counts.  I know that today, most likely before lunch, I will be have an opportunity to speak to someone who needs the encouraging word or some aspect of my thoughts or feedback on some issue going on in their work or life.  I hope I can find the right words in the moment, but if not, I hope that I will still not miss the opportunity to a let the Holy Spirit speak through me, whatever that may be and not allow the enemy to once again steal the blessing meant for this person.

Pray that the Lord will give you the courage and desire to speak a blessing to those you encounter at work today.  Don’t become so self absorbed that you don’t express the loving kindness to someone who needs it because you don’t know exactly how to express it.  Again, remember, it’s the effort you make to speak up that really counts the most.

Blessings!

Sam

No doubt many of you will be in your offices very early this morning hoping to get a head start on the day.  As an early riser myself, I have enjoyed it when I could get in the office and have some undisturbed alone time.  Jumping right into the pile of work I made the previous night is what I look forward to.  Sometimes however, I have used that alone time in the office for more meaningful pursuits.  On my way to the coffee pot, or copy machine I find myself thinking about the people whose offices or desks I pass by.    I see pictures of their families, mementos of places they have been or other reminders that these people usually have a lot going on in their lives before they hit the doors to the office each day.  Like me, they are probably dealing with all kinds of personal issues outside of the daily demands of their jobs. Often times, I feel a prompting from the Lord to stop and pray for the people working with me as I wander by their workspace.   As ambassadors for Christ in the workplace, we are expected to reflect the love of Christ to those he has placed in our path.  We don’t have to know everyone’s life story in all its glory, but listen and learn.

When you inevitably find yourself alone in the office at dark-thirty, staying late or catching up on a Saturday morning, be a blessing to those you work with by just walking around and praying for them. You may not know exactly what to pray for, but the Holy Spirit knows and will intercede with the Father on their behalf.  Maybe just say a pray of Thanks for this person who does their job well and has your back.  They don’t have to know, but the Lord certainly will and He will be very pleased.

Hope everyone has a great Friday.  Hang in there, the weekend is almost here!

It’s so easy to follow the same old familiar paths, day in and day out, never stretching ourselves, especially when it comes to reaching out to the “new guy.”  As it turned out, this new co-worker had a very interesting story and seemed to calm down the longer we talked.  I could tell he was hanging on every word as I shared how to navigate these meetings I had been attending for years.  After that, we become good friends and I felt that he was much more comfortable around the office.

Be the one who makes the first move.  Pray that God will give you the courage to reach out to either the “new guy” or to someone you know  feels on the outside and needs a friend.  Don’t forget what it felt like when someone did that for you!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Sam

I spent most of my morning  helping a local ministry ISCA (International Christian Student Association) set up for their Christmas banquet tonight.  They were expecting anywhere from two to three hundred students to attend.  The evening consists of a nice meal, some entertainment and will end with ISCA Executive Director, Clark Lasse sharing the Gospel with these students as he so often does.  I was so moved to think that just as Paul did on his missionary journey’s, the Gospel is still being shared internationally through this tiny ministry here in Fayetteville, Arkansas.    Please pray whenever you read this that someone will hear the Gospel as a result of attending this dinner and come to saving faith in Christ.   I was told there would be people from all parts of the world attending tonight.

Lets continue praying for the right things this month.  Please pray that during December there will be those who will hear the Gospel message and that Christmas will mean something completely different to them from now on.

Repent and be baptized, every one of you,  in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:38-29

Lord, may we be part of bringing the Gospel to those whom you have called.  Please help us to be supportive of those who are bringing your Gospel to those in foreign lands, especially during this season of the year.  Amen.

God has placed people in our lives for a specific purpose.  This time of year is a great opportunity to write notes (Christmas Cards?) to those who have meant something to you along the way.  It will be an incredible blessing when you stop and realize how many people have passed through your life and how much you appreciate them.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15:13

Lord, what an amazing blessing it is when we stop to think about the many people that we have known over the years and the good times we have shared.  Let us take a moment this year to thank you for each one with gladness and thanksgiving, experiencing the gift of joy that comes from our many friends.  Amen