Not So Fast, Food

On a recent flight, a rare on-time departure was quickly trumped by the ever-frustrating inability to disembark the plane due to some undisclosed issue. Forty-seven minutes after pulling into our gate, I tried to zig and zag around slower passengers to get to a bathroom and grab a quick lunch. I scanned the airport food court for the shortest line and approached the southwestern style “bowl” counter with only two customers ahead of me. I didn’t realize that there was only one person for both making the bowls and attending the register.

The one-man of the operation seemed to think he was a talk show host, asking customers about their travels, their hometowns, and complimenting their outfits. Despite their reciprocal enjoyment of the interviews (and the fact I technically had nowhere I needed to be) my toe began impatiently tapping. As the excruciating process replayed with the customer ahead of me, I watched double the number of patrons make their way through the neighboring Panda Express before one bowl was prepared at our counter.

When my turn finally came, I was determined to make the process more efficient by using an all-business face and a tight economy of words. I could tell the guy got my drift. At some point, he looked at me and said: “Anyone ever tell you, you look like a famous actor?” Despite my stoic demeanor, I instinctively gave a “Ha!” which was half “you’re crazy” and half “tell me more.” Before I knew it, I was telling this stranger all the actors people have said I look like in my lifetime. He handed me my bowl and said, “I hope your day gets better.”

As I sat down to enjoy my long-awaited lunch, I couldn’t help but taste a bit of guilt mixed into my bowl. How often do I lament in these posts - or to anyone who will listen - about the sad state of the world, the need to encounter others with kindness, or the importance of good customer service? And yet, because of my hunger of the moment, I couldn’t recognize the good I say I seek. Where else in my life and leadership am I missing what’s right in the world, even if it’s staring at me in the face? In addition to asking the Lord for what I want, do I ask for the patience and openness to receive it, if, when, and how He chooses to give it?

As we move through the summer with all of our plans, let’s remain open to the better ones He has in store for us if we’re willing to pause and not move so fast.