Self-Serve Ice Cream

When it comes to upper body strength, I'm a weakling.  Lift this heavy item?  No, thanks.  Do a pull up?  Yeah, right.  When you're a weakling, you need tricks.  You wedge your hip against the ice cream cooler and pull, with two hands if necessary.

Most days, that works.  Yesterday not so much.  I've scooped myself a lot of ice cream over the last three plus years, and I will say this was honestly the hardest I've ever seen the ice cream.  After five minutes of struggling I still didn't even have a spoonful.

"It's really hard today.  We just put in the new buckets," said the male voice behind me.  "Do you want me to give it a try?"

Out of breath, I turned and surrendered my scoop... to our executive chef.

You know those people who are always smiling and have a kind word?  I call them "Radiators" because they radiate love, grace, and compassion.  Our executive chef is one of them.

He took the scoop and half-disappeared into the cooler.  He came up for a breath and gave me an "Oh my gosh!" look before diving in for a second go.

The executive chef stopped what he was doing (probably refilling the dessert tray, explaining to Nikki the science behind why the alfredo sauce looks like gravy, or making something delicious at the end of the salad bar) to serve me from the self-serve ice cream.  I did nothing to deserve his help but he saw a need and sought to satisfy it.

Ladies and gentlemen, that's is exactly what God calls us to do.  Stop what we're doing and offer to help.  See needs, no matter how big or how small, and satisfy them.  To serve one another, even if that means putting our other responsibilities on hold.

Thank you, Mr. Executive Chef, for the reminder.  And for the ice cream.

<>< Katie

You did WHAT?!

When we were little, our dad would take us one-on-one to a private country club for lunch as a special treat. When he took Laura, they danced in front of a plethora of people. Why? There was a dance floor and there was music playing, so Laura wanted to dance. When Dad said yes, they could dance, there was no one else in the room. After they ate and the dancing came to fruition, the room was full.

When he took Christina, she ordered French Toast. Um... French Toast wasn't on the menu. The waitress had to check with the chef and see if that was possible. The chef said he'd make them special just for Christy. Halfway through her meal, he came out and asked how the French Toast tasted. She said it was delicious and by the time the conversation was over, he'd invited her into the kitchen to see it.

She loves to talk (more than I do!) and will talk to anyone! Leave her alone for ten minutes and she'll have at least fifteen new friends.

Her most recent adventure was getting to go backstage during a Switchfoot concert. She watched the show from backstage, how fun is that? (Ok, it'd be more fun if I liked Switchfoot). How'd she do it? I'm not completely sure, but I know she's not lying.

It can't hurt to ask, I guess.

In Christ,
<>< Katie

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." Genesis 6:8