Whether you cheer for the Eagles or the Cowboys, you have to love this commercial. It’s a favorite. It’s harmless enough at the beginning with competing interests (teams). Notice all the Cowboy paraphernalia on the walls. The setting is a table full of Eagles fans dining in Cowboy territory. Notice the request for more tea. Watch the waitress’ reply. You nearly choke as she wrings out the dishtowel over the tea glasses. Watch her as she dips a finger and stirs and then picks up the tray to deliver the contaminated tea. Too funny, I guess, as long as it is not my tea glass.
The commercial brought a couple of life principles to mind:
(1) Treat others the way you want to be treated. Matthew records Jesus’ words in verse twelve of chapter seven, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” In every aspect of life (not when it’s convenient, but even when its inconvenient), treat others with the same courtesy, grace, kindness, generosity, and gentleness with which you desire to be treated.
Here’s another thought pertaining to generosity and the server. Not long ago, I was in a conversation with a waiter at a local restaurant after church. I noticed the departure of a group of people seated behind us. The waiter came up and asked if they went to the church where I serve. They didn’t (thankfully). He shared about their frequent visits to the restaurant, a somewhat demanding attitude, and the fact they rarely if ever left a tip, which was the case on that day. They came into the restaurant with their Bibles in tow minus the fruit of kindness. What kind of witness does that behavior give? Here’s a huge suggestion. If you go out to eat (especially after church on Sunday), tip well. It speaks well of you and your faith. It’s a testimony. Just a thought!
(2) You are responsible for your actions and not the actions of others. I can’t control how someone else responds, behaves, or acts. Believe me, there are some times that I wish I could. But, I am responsible for my own behavior. In fact, I’m held accountable to God. Paul reminds me in Romans 14:12, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Don’t live your life reacting to others; live your life with intentional purpose. Live in such a way that no one can discount your testimony.
