“‘Smiley’ Face, Happy Face!”
Yesterday, my youngest daughter and I were in our local ‘member’s shopping club’ and she kept asking me for a smiling face like her older sister gets. It reminded me of an article I wrote a few months back for California Newspaper. I have included it below. Enjoy!
This past week my daughter and I were shopping at one of the local membership-shopping clubs. As were about to exit my daughter said, ‘Daddy, can I ask the girl for a smiley face when we leave?” The young woman at the door seemed preoccupied as she inspected our receipt and cart. I whispered to my daughter to make here request. “Can I have a smiley face please?” my daughter asked. I was blown away by the attendant’s reply. “No, we can no longer give out happy faces.” I wasn’t sure whether or not she meant to say we can no longer ‘make’ happy faces on receipts. Ironically, she wasn’t wearing a ‘smiley’ face nor ‘happy’ face. Needless to say my four year old was disappointed [she said, ‘Daddy, maybe we shouldn’t shop here any more. Let’s shop where people are happy].
I think ‘someone’ at ‘corporate’ missed ‘something’ whenever they came up with this new policy. After all, whom are they targeting? I thought families were among the customers they were after?
Well, membership-shopping club hierarchy are not the only ones that miss the boat. Two thousand years ago, the disciples of Jesus were always missing what was important. One story in Luke 18 gives an account of the disciples attempting to send the children away from Jesus. They seemed to have good intentions – trying to keep Jesus from getting overloaded. But still, they missed the point. I love Jesus’ response, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” In a sense, it was like him saying, ‘Hey guys, this is our market, they should be our priority.’
I am thankful that there is a place I have found in our community where they understand ‘smiley’ faces and ‘happy’ faces. Every time I go to our local community center a friendly staff member greets me. As a matter of fact if I happen to be having a bad day, I stop by to see Connie or Jennifer or Kathy [they always have a ‘smiley’ face to give out]. Each Sunday, I can count on a smile from Ryan, Jed, Matt, or the plethora of happy young staff ladies waiting to serve our community. The entire staff is a shining example of a group who understands service with a smile. My church community has been encouraged by their dedication. More than that, I have been inspired!
It is no wonder that look forward every week to taking my daughter to community center to get a smiley face!