Life Lived and Lessons Learned-6- Ken Williams

At Trader Joe’s – Episode six – conclusion:

Jesus’ disciples learned to take actions of love while assisting him in his ministry. God in the flesh came to reveal the Triune God of love by his self-giving, self-sacrificing, self-surrendering action of love for all humanity, on his Cross and daily life. The disciples practiced this selfless life by taking actions of love for others. In time Jesus began to rub off on them.

An example of God’s heart…

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

An example of the disciple’s hearts corrected by the Good Shepherd…

“Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging…He replied, ‘You give them something to eat.’” (Luke 9:12-13).

Our local Trader Joe’s store does not intend to represent any religion, and therefore not a Christian ministry, but store management sees the beauty in treating fellow crew members, customers, and all others the way we desire to be treated. In that sense we follow Jesus’ example of selfless service of fellow human beings. Management insists on training crew members and then practicing the actions of love that demonstrate consideration and desire to serve. The love for people, food, and hospitality is genuine and not a sales gimmick. We are given many opportunities to take actions of love for others.

I practiced putting customers’ needs above keeping shelves full. Acknowledging people’s presence, making myself available, valuing people over shelving products worked against my desire to simply “get the job done” but it became natural as I practiced it. Crew members working together keep the shelves full.

I practiced giving customers eye contact and smiling. I like people so it was natural for me to do it, I can easily become too busy to notice others, ask my middle-aged children what it was like being a pastor’s kid. I practiced taking the action of love until it replaced staying too busy.

When a crew member rings one of the store’s brass bells twice it’s a request for assistance from another crew member. I learned to pause what I was working on to treat my fellow crew members the way I desired to be treated. It was an action of love.

Working at Trader Joe’s practicing the multiple actions of love changed me for the better. “Getting out of self” is healthy and fulfilling, enabling me to learn a way that is worth living. TJ’s is a retail store but stands out from others in treating people the way we like to be treated. Following Jesus is more complicated but I was regularly reminded of his love for us, his love of food, and his love of hospitality. I think it’s correct to say that the longer we follow Jesus and do the actions of love he commands the more he rubs off on us; even in a retail grocery store.

I’m an elderly man, and I made the decision to end my love affair with working at Trader Joe’s. There are other ways to take actions of love that I can still do. My last day I wrote a card with the following words on the bulletin board in the Crew’s Room.

“For those who aren’t familiar with the Gilbert and Sullivan musical H.M.S Pinafore this may come across as odd, but stuff like this comes to my mind when I think of the fun I had working with captain and crew of #534. I lifted this from one of the songs the captain of H.M.S. Pinafore sings.

Captain “I am the captain of 534…” Crew “And a right good captain, too!” Captain “You’re very, very good, And be it understood, I command a right good crew.”

Crew “We’re very, very good, And be it understood, He commands a right good crew.”

Thank you for the friendship, fun, and wisdom you have given me in working with people who love people and good food. Nancy and I will be back to shop and to receive the WOW experience you all deliver to customers and fellow crew members. Ken”

Coming, a future series entitled Life Lived and Lessons Learned, all things beautiful!”

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.