Window Washing Expert…
Window Washing Expert…
Mrs. Morgan drove a brand new 1976 Lincoln Continental. She had a charge account where I worked at Jim’s Chevron. It was my first job. Jim, the owner, gave clear instructions on Mrs. Morgan and what she expected. “Fill it up, premium unleaded. No receipt. Don’t spill gas on the car. Wash the front window, not the back. Be polite.” Washing her window was an adventure. She sat inside with her perfectly manicured fingernails, scratching
Window Washing Expert…
Mrs. Morgan drove a brand new 1976 Lincoln Continental. She had a charge account where I worked at Jim’s Chevron. It was my first job. Jim, the owner, gave clear instructions on Mrs. Morgan and what she expected. “Fill it up, premium unleaded. No receipt. Don’t spill gas on the car. Wash the front window, not the back. Be polite.” Washing her window was an adventure. She sat inside with her perfectly manicured fingernails, scratching
the inside of the glass where a missed spot might be. I learned to clean a window well, and to clean it right the first time. I think of Mrs. Morgan almost every time I wash my car window.
Here are some lessons to be learned from Mrs. Morgan that would help us in ministry:
1. Mrs. Morgan set high standards – She didn’t care that I was only 16 and it was my first job. The standard was set high, and I rose to the occasion. We need to set higher standards for young people in ministry. It is not too much to expect great things. Challenge kids to memorize more and apply it more often. Simply showing up at church should not be our standard of success. Learning and spiritual growth should be.
2. Mrs. Morgan held us accountable – Believe me, if I missed the mark, Jim found out about it. We were held to the high standard that was set for us. We should lovingly hold kids accountable for learning and applying God’s word. Call them, meet with them, encourage them, but no matter what, don’t sell them short. They are capable of so much more than most people think.
3. Mrs. Morgan influenced me for life – I am a pretty good window washer, because the standard was set high and I was held to it. It’s been 35 years and it still affects me.
Do you want to influence a child for life? Do you want to help them learn truths that point them closer to Christ for years to come? Then raise the bar. Ask yourself these questions – “What do I expect the kids I serve to learn? How do I expect for them to behave? What does success look like for my ministry?” Maybe you and your team need to expect more, follow up more, and by doing so, love the kids more.
Have a great day serving our Savior!
