In my last blog, I talked about how dealing with customers could be an opportunity for them to see the love of God. It’s a great chance to share His love and offer grace and mercy.

I know firsthand that sometimes interacting with customers can be challenging, and quite frankly, exhausting.

On days when I don’t feel like being sweet or offering grace and mercy, I go to God’s Word. There are so many wonderful scripture verses that teach us about interacting with others. And this totally relates to our customers. Here are 3 of those verses:

Verse #1:

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. [Colossians 3:23-24]

I need to be reminded daily that I work for the Lord. My allegiance is to Him. Everything I do should be a reflection of Him. Every email I send should be covered in grace and mercy because that’s what we’ve been given from Him. We must always remember that we work to please an audience of one; the One.

Verse #2:

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. [John 13:14]

Have you ever thought about washing someone’s feet? I’ve had the privilege of washing the feet of sports coaches in the middle of the bush in Ethiopia. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.  We were all in tears.

In Jesus’ days, the people walked on dirt roads, barefoot or with simple sandals. You can only imagine what their feet looked liked (and smelled like – eww!). Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in response to their arguing. Jesus’ sacrifice of washing feet showed true humility and servant hood.

We should use this example and “wash the feet” of our customers, our friends, our foes. Choose the tasks that no one wants to do, and choose joy in those tasks.

Verse #3:

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. [1 Thessalonians 5:11]

Everyone wants and needs encouragement! But encouragement for the believer is different than the way the world defines encouragement. Encouragement is built upon hope, and as believers, our hope is in something much bigger than our career, circumstances, family, or pain.

So for the believer, encouragement is more than a pat on the back or simple flattery. Encouragement is reminding your brother or sister that, despite these circumstances, Jesus is Lord and we can rest and rejoice in that. So when Paul urges the Thessalonians to “encourage one another,” he’s reminding them that Jesus has brought them from death to life and He has already overcome this world.

I pray that these verses will encourage you and give you true hope in the One that always responds in love. We may not always have it together, but we know the One who does. Look to Him when you are down or need to be reminded of grace. And don’t stop at these verses. I challenge you to look up verses of your own that will serve as your reminders of God’s grace and love!

Teeny Pineda, Director of Operations and First Impressions