“Who are you calling ugly, sucker?” Have you looked in the mirror lately? Whoa, before you get offended, I’m not speaking about physical looks here. No, no, in a strange way, it’s about serving others. Let me explain. Recently, we got our first snowstorm of the season in Dallas. Snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain mean shut-down, city, baby: no work, no school, raid the grocery stores, and stay home! But some professions, mines included, require braving this wintry forecast, which can be both beautiful and treacherous at times. Working for a rideshare company that prides itself on vehicle cleanliness is a big deal! Who doesn’t like being picked up in a clean, nice-smelling vehicle! This consistency, along with safety and hospitality, is what our customers have come to expect.
Value is the key to service. But this snowstorm reminded me once again that, though I can’t control the weather, I can control the service I provide. As I drove on highways, streets, and into neighborhoods, the remnants of this wintry mix became evident on the car. Snow, sand, dirt, and everything else that could stick to it covered it, causing it to look like an old car wrap! It was ugly! As customers entered the car, I found myself constantly apologizing for the ugliness. Their response: “There’s no need to apologize, you can’t control this!” I then realized that safety and hospitality would be my service for the day. As I made my drop-offs, I heard responses such as: “Thanks, John, for getting us here safely,” or “Thanks for the ride and conversation!” In the end, I realized that serving others still existed, but “Sometimes you got to go ugly!”
Labor with the Creator 