Life Lived and Lessons Learned-5- Ken Williams

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At Trader Joe’s – Episode 5 – preparing and serving samples to large numbers of customers at Trader Joe’s:

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

“Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’” John 6:5-7 (NRSV)

This blog’s example is insignificant compared to what Jesus and his disciples experienced but it came to mind one Saturday afternoon at our Trader Joe’s store, a busier day than usual. People who entered the store surpassed the number who exited the store. Our crew worked hard just to keep up with the demand for grocery carts, baskets, and bags. The aisles were crowded leaving little room to maneuver, but customer enthusiasm was contagious.

I was delighted that I was assigned an hour at our food sampling station. This assignment requires the same skills as a good bar tender in serving customers. A sense of humor is valuable. I donned my demo hat, slipped on my surgical gloves, and replaced Mel. She explained the procedure for preparing samples while customers consumed the ones she set on the tray. I began putting Pumpkin, Cranberry Crisps into paper cups, along with pieces of the Cinnamon Crusted Toscano Cheddar Cheese. It was a tasty combo enjoyed by young and old.

Word got around to come to the sample station, customers stood in a line…until they didn’t, waited patiently…until they weren’t, and samples disappeared as quickly as drops of water on a hot skillet. I regularly rang the brass bell attached to the sampling station requesting assistance for customers or for supplies.

It was fun… until it wasn’t! Lucy and Ethel packaging chocolates in the chocolate factory came to mind. This was an amusing thought…until it wasn’t! Early in my hour of service I heard “requests” coming from polite customers, but half was through I only hear “demands”. What happened to the joy of hospitality? Why was I taking the store’s generosity and my inability to keep up personally? Seeking an answer to this, calmed me long enough to ask myself, “O.K. Ken, what’s going on? You’re supposed to be having fun!”

While considering this, I became aware of an intangible presence of the One who shares his love for people, food, and hospitality. Whether we are aware or unaware of this presence, taking actions of love adds joy to our combined effort to treat our fellow human beings with consideration and respect. I experienced a conviction that this may have been a little like what Jesus and the disciples experienced as they fed the thousands.

The disciples came back for more bread and fish as rapidly as Jesus created more. How patient were the servers and those being served? Maybe impatience would have reigned, but Jesus’ presence, his love for people, food, and hospitality permeated the gathering. He did not send the thousands away to get food but chose to include the disciples in serving hungry people. The joy of the meal and Jesus’ example likely rubbed off on the disciples.

The disciples learned the warmth and joy of God’s hospitality and so did I. Once again, by God’s grace alone, he freed me from pride and selfishness. I could see the customers as my fellow human beings and became grateful for the opportunity to serve them. I smiled at this welcome change in point of view.

As I completed my hour it occurred to me that Jesus raising his arms in creating more food, may have looked and sounded like an Italian grandmother raising her arms and joyfully shouting to her guests, “Mangia! Mangia!” His love for people and hospitality can become contagious. I’m grateful for the lesson Jesus taught this disciple.

Episode six coming, conclusion of Life Lived and Lessons Learned at Trader Joe’s.

Ken and Nancy Williams served for some 25 years in pastoral ministry, and then almost another 20 years serving and mentoring other pastors.  With the heart of a pastor Ken continues to write and blog from upstate New York where he and Nancy live close to their grandchildren.