After our Alaskan cruise in 2019, I wrote several blogs (beginning here) on the skilled service we experienced onboard. I applaud excellent service wherever it appears, and we, of course, are called to serve:

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20.25 – 28, ESV)

But Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, beautifully took it one step further in an editorial published in our local newspaper, the Colorado Springs Gazette. Jim urged us not only to admire, but also to follow the example of, the 5-star Broadmoor Hotel, here in Colorado Springs.

Jim writes:

The “Broad­moor Way” mod­els the way we should live indi­vidu­ally and cor­por­ately. In this increas­ingly coarse and cor­ros­ive cul­ture, we would be wise to heed the resort’s com­mit­ment to good man­ners and its tire­less devo­tion to both its staff and guests.

For example, Broad­moor employ­ees are trained and required to acknow­ledge and make eye con­tact with each guest they encounter. It’s more than just a good busi­ness tac­tic. [We have stayed there, and this practice is one of the most memorable aspects. EVERYONE, from the maître d’ at one of the restaurants to the housekeeping staff on their way from one building to another, makes eye contact and greets you cheerfully.]

To be “seen” is among the greatest long­ings of the human heart. In an auto­mated and imper­sonal world, it feels good to be per­son­ally greeted, and espe­cially by name.

So, instead of just silently passing someone on the trail or in a store and look­ing down or look­ing away the next time you’re out, smile and say hello. – Jim Daly, emphasis mine

Here’s another snippet:

With well-fun­ded and trained land­scape crews, the hotel’s exter­i­ors are exquis­itely kept and well-man­i­cured. The lawns are mowed, and the trees are trimmed. Flowers are col­or­ful and sea­sonal. While we may not all be able to afford such opu­lence, keep­ing our yards neat and attract­ive shows respect and care for our neigh­bor­hood. As the old Dutch say­ing goes, “If every­one sweeps in front of their own door, the whole world will be clean.”

Col­or­ado Springs is a bet­ter place because of The Broad­moor — and the city and its people will be bet­ter off if they adopt some of the habits and policies that con­tinu­ously make it one of the finest and highest-ranked resorts in the world.

A good word.

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man… (John 9.1, MSG)

…there is none who takes notice of me… (Psalm 142.4, ESV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2.14, 15, ESV)