The restaurant restroom sink was high maintenance. Even with a busy lunch crowd, I was greeted with shining glass and stainless. I looked for water spots and soap residue. Nothing. The attendants were paying attention to detail. Each had a mission. This sink told the tale with simple transparency, surpassing the impact of words and signs. As I washed my hands, I found myself taking care to wipe the sink behind me. I know it was not expected or required. It seemed like the right thing to do.
The sparkle and hard work have stayed with me. I find myself looking out over a city under construction. The architect’s and work crews’ attention to detail is visible, even from a distance. As I look at the day ahead, I wonder. If I bring this same attention to detail to the moment, what would it look like?
Care is found in detail. In the restaurant, there is no way for a supervisor to check every aspect of the operations. One must rely on the commitment and care each employee brings to the job. If the sinks I observed are any indication, the team on the day was committed to bringing the highest standard of care to life. The challenge and invitation are clear; today is an opportunity for me to care about how I live in every detail of life and living.
Kindness is found in detail. While I was surprised by the attention to detail, it was being experienced in every aspect of my experience. From the welcome to seating, from answering questions with a sparkle in the eye to the seamless handover when we moved tables, the starting point was kindness. The day ahead will be filled with interactions. My experience has left me with a tangible example and model of what to do.
Giving back starts with recognising the hard work involved. Paul’s letter was an example; “Hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa – such diligent women in serving the Master. Hello to Persis, a dear friend and hard worker in Christ.” (Romans 16.12).
At lunch and now, from my heart to yours, thank you.
