Comments on: The Girl Behind the Tray

By: April Terry

April Terry — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:25:34 +0000

Kate,

Your high-5 story warmed my heart! It’s just great!

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:58:43 +0000

I agree. Serving people changes you as much, if not more, then those you are trying to reach. Through High School, (I only graduated 2 years ago) I did a lot of community service and a lot of work within the school, “Breaking Down the Walls” of the racial separation we had. I didn’t think anything of it, but my teacher challenged me to meet 5 new people a day, and greet each one with a high-5. A few months later, I stopped high-5ing people, I just did not see a point in it and figured it was only going to waste my time. My new friends would walk up to me and say “Why didn’t you high-5 me?! Are you angry?” I pondered this, and getting a crazy idea, I said “No, I want you to keep high-5ing new people every day as I did, and lets see if we can’t meet the whole school!” We did. At the end of the year, we 5 people had met and made friends in every ring of the school! When we graduated, the school had planned an awesome senior walkout. They high-5ed everyone as we left our home away from home. I cried!

The point of my story is yes, serving people changes you. If my teacher hadn’t dared me, a shy and quiet library dwelling girl, to high-5 new people every day, I wouldn’t have met those 4 who joined me in one-handedly changing our school. We got over the racial boundaries and affected more then those we met that year. We changed ourselves!

Thanks April for sharing your story. It is so true.

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:10:59 +0000

Thanks April for your great words. I too have found that some of my times closest to God are when I am serving others. I have found going with a servant heart often means I grow spiritually. But I still serve not expecting anything in return.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:57:54 +0000

Yes, good doctor…do tell!

By: Mike O

Mike O — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:24:27 +0000

(The Greatest Disappearing Act in History)

Hmm, interesting parenthetical. Sounds like a new topic for something.

Or am I reading too much between the lines?

By: Jim Henderson

Jim Henderson — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:29:32 +0000

I could never have known how serving others would change me. I went into this whole adventure thinking that I was going to change the hearts of others right and left.

All of us start off thinking how we will change others. Then as I followed Jesus (The Greatest Disappearing Act in History)we find ourselves being on the learning end.

I said final goodbyes to one of my wifes aunts and a favorite of mine yesterday– she doesn’t seem to have long to live. As I told her how much she meant to me I experienced the love of Jesus myself in a profoundly personal way.

I think that is a taste of what Jesus meant with “If you lose your life you’ll find it”

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:16:22 +0000

April wrote:

I think that if a person of faith really wants to grow, they have to be willing to step behind the tray and serve others.

April, I agree. The people who have impressed me most in life are the ones who unexpectedly served me when they didn’t have to.

By: April Terry

April Terry — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:13:28 +0000

What a cool story, Mike! She seems to have a wonderful sense of what servanthood really is…I love hearing that, especially about someone so young. You don’t see it that often. Unfortunately, it’s rare. I think that’s what Jesus meant when he said, “They will know you by your love…”

By: Mike O

Mike O — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:05:15 +0000

I’m delivering pizzas part-time, and we got a new manager. She’s about 19 - freshman in college. She seems uncomfortable in her role as store manager for now, but the thing that strikes me about her is that she’s not “above” any chore that needs to be done. If boxes need folding, she does it. if dishes need washing, she does it. Her temprament is very laid back and quite sweet, so that’s part of it, but I’m struck by her willingness to serve.

It’s also interesting to see how the other guys (all male environment, except for her) react. They’re typically quite crass and vulgar when she’s not around, but she just quietly works with them, not saying anything - just working hard. And I’ve noticed that they act different when she’s around. They work harder, too. So do I.

It will be interesting to see what kind of impact this sweet little girl will have on the overall environment of that pizza place. I like what’s happening so far.