Rashional Thoughts — Touch of kindness makes a difference

Rashional Thoughts — Touch of kindness makes a difference

By Jennifer Davis Rash
The Alabama Baptist

Big Jim didn’t like the formality at all. “James Salles” on his nametag just wouldn’t do.

He promptly requested a Sharpie and took care of it. Now that’s better, he said.

The proud Texan and his wife, Sue, (or Mother, as he called her) were late registering for the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix. They had car trouble along the way and were exhausted by the desert heat but the sweet southern accents and polite nature of two young Alabama Baptists made everything right again.

Jacob Tidwell of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, moved immediately to creating a new nametag for Big Jim with the approved nickname so he didn’t have to wear the Sharpie-corrected version.

Tidwell showed the same care for “Ms. Sue” as he made sure she collected her book of ballots, convention program and nametag. Tidwell’s astute observation skills and polite but quick action combined with Judson College student Kaylee Roth’s sweet banter pulled big smiles and lots of laughter from the Salles family.

And Roth’s warm smile and Cracker Barrel-trained “thanks, honey bunches” sealed the deal — Big Jim and Ms. Sue felt totally at home.

Greeting with grace

Tidwell and Roth were among 23 college-age young adults from Alabama Baptist churches serving at the SBC registration counters and as greeters and ushers at the doors.

Once I knew the secret code — they were all wearing white golf shirts — then they were easy to spot in the crowds.

As I approached the front door to the convention center the next morning, friendly smiles and warm welcomes greeted me. And yes — white shirts. More Alabama Baptist young adults representing our state and our faith with joyous hearts and gracious spirits.

Alyssa McGee of Hillcrest Baptist Church, Maplesville, and a student at the University of Alabama; Korey Cowart of Central Heights Baptist Church, Florence, and a student at the University of North Alabama; and Rita Pearson-Daley of First, Montgomery, and a student at UAB — all showcasing the Light as they served.

These roles aren’t seen as glamorous like the activities of the platform personalities or the featured presenters at the top-level exhibits but they are acts of service that affect the experience of the participants. They are what a friend of mine calls “staying with the stuff.”

There must be a dependable support team in place consistently working through the routine parts of any ministry, organization or event. Without that team the people called to be out front wouldn’t be able to sustain their responsibilities.

My co-worker Wanda emailed me a prayer as I departed for Phoenix: “May God bless you in your coming and going. May you be so full of the Holy Spirit that He splashes out wherever you walk.”

Her words resurfaced in my mind as I watched our Alabama students in action. What a difference a touch of kindness, joyous heart and gracious spirit make — even in the routine moments.

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Rashional Extras – Overcoming cancer

By B. Davis Campbell

One in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States will have cancer at some point in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. I am one of those statistics.

Diagnosed with Stage 3 bladder cancer in 2004 at age 43, I underwent major bladder reconstruction surgery in addition to lifestyle changes. In 2006 cancer was rediscovered in my lymph nodes and I underwent three and a half months of brutal chemotherapy. In 2011, I was declared cancer-free and remain healthy to this day but the battle was brutal and the challenges are real.

During my cancer struggle I developed an acronym with the word cancer that helped me and might be helpful to others.

C — Cling to the Lord. Remember the victory will come through the Lord and not necessarily medical therapy, although modern medicine certainly has its place in dealing with cancer. Our hope should not be in chemotherapy or radiation. Such treatments are tools God uses but the cancer patient should draw strength from the Lord and other motivations such as wanting to see children graduate from college or get married.

A — Acknowledge the magnitude of the battle. Cancer is not like getting a cold, the flu or any other illness. Cancer is a major war and takes big guns to overcome it. Most cancer treatments take several weeks or months so the patient needs to be prepared for a prolonged, difficult battle.

N — Never give up. Winston Churchill said, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.” In John 5:6, Jesus asked the lame man by the pool of Bethesda, “Do you wish to get well?” It sounds simple but if a person wants to overcome cancer, the chances are better if he or she wants to overcome it.

C — Continue to do the normal activities of life. I recommend continuing to go to church, spending time with family, going shopping, whatever the normal routine may be as long as the health status is permitting. I believe it sends a message to the body that “I want to live.” It also may make the cancer patient feel better and inspires others in their own struggles.

E — Enlist others to assist in the battle. Cancer is not a valley that needs to be faced alone. Cancer patients should get others to pray for them and allow them to assist them with housework, meals, yardwork or any other needs.

R — Rest in the Lord’s sovereignty. Remember that God possesses all power and He rules over all things. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Even though the cancer may have been a shock to the patient or their loved one, it didn’t catch God by surprise. He knew exactly when the cancer first occurred.

Will utilizing these guidelines guarantee that a cancer patient will survive? I cannot promise that. There are too many factors involved. Yet in fighting the cancer with these guidelines, whether being cured or not, the cancer patient may ultimately feel a sense of overcoming this dreadful disease.

Editor’s Note — B. Davis Campbell is a member of NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville, and author of three self-published books available at Amazon.com. They are “A Place I Didn’t Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer,” “Glorified Sickness: Honoring God Through Illness” and most recently “Bullet Points: Absolute Essentials For Facing A Fallen World.” He also blogs at http://cancerovercomer.blogspot.com.

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Chick-fil-A is one of those rare companies that understands the magic of true customer service. I have never seen their actual process for responding to problems or complaints but I think it is this:

  • Have a process for listening to customers.
  • Respond to those customers quickly and personally.
  • Be nice, be friendly and do something a little extra.

—David Allen, Jump Marketing Team
“The Chick-fil-A Way of Handling a Complaint”
excerpt from March 10, 2016, article on LinkedIn

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“Given that almost all functions in almost all companies are looking to be more innovative, studies such as this will challenge the orthodoxy of modern management and provide a new way forward. Innovation cannot be a product of micromanagement or filling peoples’ diaries with meetings. Rather, we must trust our teams to act innovatively when we give them the time and incentives to do so.”

—Excerpt from the March 31 article “How to create more innovation in your team? Fewer meetings and more slack time” on forbes.com

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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

—John Quincy Adams

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Craig Carlisle
@brocraig12st
“Every day God manifests Himself and most days we miss Him, clouded by secular cataracts and exhausted by the barrenness of a busy life.”

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Follow me on Twitter @RashionalThts or email me at jrash@thealabamabaptist.org.