4 Seasons Of Service
Posted by Joy M at 8/21/2009 8:49 PM 
Categories: Motivation,Mental Health
Tags: Transformation Blessings
Categories: Motivation,Mental Health
Tags: Transformation Blessings
Romans 15:17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
I was blessed to stay at the Four Seasons in Mexico City for a work trip. The Four Seasons exceeded my expectations. The service was superior at every step. All employees provided exacting attention to my colleagues and me. The staff went out of their way to assist even when it wasn't their responsibility. For example, one of my party came late to breakfast and asked someone not on the wait staff for an item, she made sure it got done. Each day my room was cleaned and tidied. It was great walking into a room that didn't show any evidence of the tornado that I left in the morning. Even the staff cleaning the furniture in the lobby seemed to have such purpose and determination.
I love great service and as I travel -- I'm still traveling -- back home, I've seen so much that doesn't live up to The Four Seasons standard of care. It hasn't all been sub par, there were some good experiences during my journey. A few of each stand out. Let me share a couple. I called the airline while at the airport because the second leg of my flight was canceled. Mechanically issues was the reason. However, weather caused a series of other delays and cancellations. The first person I spoke with managed to get me a flight for tomorrow after searching the system. He also found an alternative plan that may be possible, but if he booked it I would miss the flight. He suggested that I try at the gate. I thanked him for all of his effort and headed to the gate in another terminal.
When I finally arrived at the gate, I explained my situation to the attendant and immediately I received some curt attitude and a basic brush off because he had to get passengers boarded. No kidding! I did want to be one of those passengers. He did manage to adjust himself to become more pleasant as I continued to smile and ask gently for more information. I got back on the phone and had another idea and switched airports completely. The woman on the phone was quite kind, put me on hold several times and found something would be direct...for the last leg.
After hoping in a cab and traveling an hour, I made it to the check-in counter -- too late and with some difficulty. The flight had been delayed, but the woman assisting me couldn't get me ticketed. She worked all she knew and then called the reinforcements to get me a later flight. When I got to the gate, I noticed that the flight was still on the board and had been pushed back even further. After finding a line to stand on, the free attendants where chatting it up with each other. It sounded a little personal, however, I really avoided listening. I do know that even if it were work related, it could wait until I and the people behind me were helped. When i was really "next," the sister seemed as if I annoyed her. She did reference that she was working on Tampa. I guess that I since I wasn't going to Tampa, I was a problem. Interestingly, she had the ability to address my issues. It would have been so much more pleasant, if only she were.
This all has me thinking about my service. Am I as inconsistent as the people I typically run into daily or do I give The Four Seasons service all the time. I can see many benefits of superior service. Both sides, the giver and the receiver, are typically more positive. A more positive experience leads to even greater benefits. I should be giving my best in my service and it doesn't need to be limited to some community outreach. It should be my daily walk. I should be bringing the glory to God in all that I do. This would serve me by continually improving my outlook, disposition and general attitude. A tremendous benefit as I walk my Gospel Fit journey.
I was blessed to stay at the Four Seasons in Mexico City for a work trip. The Four Seasons exceeded my expectations. The service was superior at every step. All employees provided exacting attention to my colleagues and me. The staff went out of their way to assist even when it wasn't their responsibility. For example, one of my party came late to breakfast and asked someone not on the wait staff for an item, she made sure it got done. Each day my room was cleaned and tidied. It was great walking into a room that didn't show any evidence of the tornado that I left in the morning. Even the staff cleaning the furniture in the lobby seemed to have such purpose and determination.
I love great service and as I travel -- I'm still traveling -- back home, I've seen so much that doesn't live up to The Four Seasons standard of care. It hasn't all been sub par, there were some good experiences during my journey. A few of each stand out. Let me share a couple. I called the airline while at the airport because the second leg of my flight was canceled. Mechanically issues was the reason. However, weather caused a series of other delays and cancellations. The first person I spoke with managed to get me a flight for tomorrow after searching the system. He also found an alternative plan that may be possible, but if he booked it I would miss the flight. He suggested that I try at the gate. I thanked him for all of his effort and headed to the gate in another terminal.
When I finally arrived at the gate, I explained my situation to the attendant and immediately I received some curt attitude and a basic brush off because he had to get passengers boarded. No kidding! I did want to be one of those passengers. He did manage to adjust himself to become more pleasant as I continued to smile and ask gently for more information. I got back on the phone and had another idea and switched airports completely. The woman on the phone was quite kind, put me on hold several times and found something would be direct...for the last leg.
After hoping in a cab and traveling an hour, I made it to the check-in counter -- too late and with some difficulty. The flight had been delayed, but the woman assisting me couldn't get me ticketed. She worked all she knew and then called the reinforcements to get me a later flight. When I got to the gate, I noticed that the flight was still on the board and had been pushed back even further. After finding a line to stand on, the free attendants where chatting it up with each other. It sounded a little personal, however, I really avoided listening. I do know that even if it were work related, it could wait until I and the people behind me were helped. When i was really "next," the sister seemed as if I annoyed her. She did reference that she was working on Tampa. I guess that I since I wasn't going to Tampa, I was a problem. Interestingly, she had the ability to address my issues. It would have been so much more pleasant, if only she were.
This all has me thinking about my service. Am I as inconsistent as the people I typically run into daily or do I give The Four Seasons service all the time. I can see many benefits of superior service. Both sides, the giver and the receiver, are typically more positive. A more positive experience leads to even greater benefits. I should be giving my best in my service and it doesn't need to be limited to some community outreach. It should be my daily walk. I should be bringing the glory to God in all that I do. This would serve me by continually improving my outlook, disposition and general attitude. A tremendous benefit as I walk my Gospel Fit journey.
While in the hospital this year God gave me a wonderful lesson in one of the poems,i was inspired to write.(Did you see that?I just raised my hand,could be there is hope that one day i'll stand.)Since nothing can separate us from the love of God,we then are equiped to give service that is greater than (four seasons service.)If it were not for God,would i be able to raise my hand or stand?We all know the answer.Here we are back to thanksgiving again.As God made the trip possible,He also makes the service possible.God has also equiped each of us to be able to do far greater works.Now ,what does each of us choose to do?Part of our nature is how we were trained up by other people.Our second nature is,how we were trained up by God's word.The question for today is,What is your service based upon?
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