How may I help you?

Romans 12:6-13: (NEW LIVING TRANSLATION) In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[a] and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.[b] 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

“Welcome to McDonald’s, how may I help you?” Is what you heard the voice say as you entered the restaurant or presented yourself at the drive-thru speaker box. You were greeted with a friendly voice and a fast-paced rush to get your order hot and ready in 60 seconds or so. Your change was counted in your hand and your complete order was presented to you with a smiling and enthusiastic grin. Or, you entered your local bank you were greeted with a warm, friendly “hello” and the mentioning of your name. It made you feel as though you were a welcomed customer. Remember the television show: “Cheers” ?. Every time Norm or one of the other cast members would enter the establishment, their name as affectionately mentioned. Whatever happened to CUSTOMER SERVICE?

In our own businesses, we have to ask ourselves if we are offering our own customers GREAT service. Do we ask them: “How may I help you”. And, if we do, how realistic is it? Recently I asked this same question during a brief devotional period at the HEB Business Network group. I raised flash score cards to rate how we would could grade ourselves if we were measured my others when asked this question. eager to practice hospitality.  I believe that God has given us many talents, gifts and abilities. How we use them is what’s important. God gave us Jesus as an example. And, we are to be that example. Ask yourself this: Are you treating others as God would? Are you speaking to them in a tone that HE would? Are you using your gifts WELL? To the best of your ability? Let’s use our business as a testament to God. We are blessed to be a blessing.

Pay it forward!

Cassandra Bradford is a Senior Consultant for Genesis Preferred Solutions who specializes in helping small business get certified as Minority/Women Owned, initial biz structure, business plans, funding, contracts, technical proposals, and opportunities