Service With a Smile

I'm old enough to remember full-service gas stations ... there, I've said it out loud ... I'm old ... enough ... to remember full-service gas stations, when a gallon of milk cost 98 cents, when you got Green Stamps at the grocery store that you could save and cash in for really cool things at the Green Stamp store, kids playing outside way past dark without the fear of being kidnapped, one cent bubble gum, and real cherry vanilla cokes at the fountain at the drugstore (and no, not a water fountain). But ... I digress down the lane of memories of days gone by ... back to the full-service gas station.

There was a time when no one pumped their own gas, and I'm well aware that is hard for some of you to believe. But I'm completely serious ... you would drive up to the pump, sit in your car and wait for the guy (and trust me, it was always a guy) to come to your window to find out how much gas you wanted him ... yes, him ... to pump into your car. But wait ... it gets better. He would also check the oil and fluids, wash the windows and put air in the tires. And without fail, I remember that those full-service gasoline station attendants always, always, always had a smile on their faces.

I've come to realize and understand as I've grown older that some people are just made for service ... they not only enjoy serving others, they thrive on helping other people. Having a true servant heart is something that seems to be a rarity in today's me-oriented society; many people spend a great portion of their lives looking out only for number one and not even noticing those around them who are in need of love, care or simply a listening ear.

And then there are those few ... those loving, caring, self-sacrificing few ... who live to serve, who have hearts that are big enough and selfless enough to change the lives of those around them who are less fortunate, hurting, lonely or weary from life's journey. People who feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked and listen to the troubled.

Even as I type these words tonight, one sweet family in particular I know is a living, breathing, walking, talking example of this kind of servant heart. A sweet family who has spent the last three days in the pediatric intensive care unit of the children's hospital here in town. A sweet family who adopted a little girl from China ... knowing that she needed major heart surgery, discovering when they went to get her that she was deaf. A sweet family who brought her home, who have made her their own, who love her beyond belief, who had hearts big enough (all six of them!) ... hearts selfless enough to give a little girl who had little to no hope for a future ... to give her that future, a future filled with abundant and amazing life.

So here's to all of those who are servants ... who give and give and give some more ... to those who love without measure ... serve without reward ... touch hearts and renew minds ... with a smile on their faces and a song in their souls.

And here's to each one of you, Brent and Allie and Tate and Cory and Wade and Mallie, you're making a difference for Quincie and all the rest of us who are watching and learning from your service ... your service with a smile that comes from your hearts of love.