One glaring deficiency.
That’s all it can take to leave the kind of bad taste in someone’s mouth that they no longer consider you among their numerous sources, options, or opportunities — no matter your offering.
I had the opportunity of spending all day yesterday with my family at a water park. It was awesome — and we left having made some incredible memories as a family.
But there was a moment (and by moment I mean hour) when it seemed like our day was beginning to spiral downward — and instead of making fond, blissful memories of riding down slides, jumping over waves, getting pummeled by giant buckets of water smashing down upon us, and the sort — the day was going to be remembered for something much more mediocre.
A substandard lunch experience (and that’s putting it kindly).
At a place where they did not allow outside food, to the point of doing a thorough and complete search of every item we brought into the park, and therefore requiring us to purchase meals at their overpriced eateries — one would think they’d have it down to a science. One would think that they’d be pros!
And it’s not like it was early on in the summer season either — we’re well beyond the mid-point.
But there we were — waiting in line (which was not very long) and then for our food — for almost an hour. Yes, for nearly 60 minutes I attempted to keep our five kids (between the ages of 8 months and 8 years) content, while my wife waited like a saint through the sub-par service. (They even took our order — and money — for food that was on their menu, but they knew they did not have on hand.)
I’m not going to lie, things got a little ugly — and my kids got a bit cranky too 😉 — but as we closed in on the 60 minute mark of waiting for food (and NOT playing within the park), my wife finally rounded the corner with food in hand (most of which was not what we ordered).
We were so hungry by that point that we scarfed it all down within about 5 minutes — and were once again ready to go off and enjoy our time in the park. And it’s a good thing that the park was as amazing as it was — because in this instance it made the poor food service experience appear to be an anomaly.
But it served as a good reminder to me that in many instances we get just one instance to make a first impression on the students we serve.
No matter how awesome our ministries might be in a multitude of areas — if we’ve clearly neglected an area (something as important and essential as eating — especially at a place that requires you to eat their food), then we run the risk of leaving a sour taste in their mouth.
And if there are a number of other (similar) opportunities for students to get plugged into — well, then it’s likely that they’ll pursue those options.
Sure, none of us is perfect — nor are our ministries.
And we pray for God to work in and through our deficiencies.
But as much as it is up to us, I believe we are called to be excellent in every possible way.
What do you think?
