What Lies Beneath?

It was a deep, deep well. Looking over the side into what seemed like a fathomless cavern , one wonders if there is any water there at all? However, by picking up a small stone and dropping it over the side, after some time of falling, falling, a splash can finally be heard. 

We have heard the expression “Still waters run deep” and have asked “What lies within?” Both remind us that not everything we see with our eyes is the full truth. And yet, how often, in today’s society, are people judged by a first encounter, or brief conversation? Or even after many interactions; when the person appears aloof, sour, or even rude. We can feel affronted, even offended, finding our opinion forms like a hard crust, and we pigeon hole that person from then on. 

Through a set of challenging circumstances recently, I have found myself drawn to go deeper, to cover people in prayer, to consider the deeper issues concealed within the well of their hearts, that have made people appear as they do. Does that mean we just allow people to be confronting and rude? To walk all over us as we roll over like a puppy bearing our belly? Not at all. However, these encounters can call us into something deeper. 

What action, if any, is called for here? If it is within a company we are receiving service from, is there a need for considered feedback with which they can improve? How will they know, unless they are told? 

If it is an individual, how do we respond in the moment? Truthfully and firmly, if they are being accusatory, but then how do we later consider them and what might be at the core of their interaction.

Over the past few months my challenge has been the call to be a thermostat, rather than a thermometer. A thermostat sets the temperature and holds it evenly there. However, a thermometer goes up and down depending on the temperature around it. So often, in fact, mostly, we live as thermometers, rising and falling in response to what is happening around us. 

However, when we know who we are, what our values are and where our heart sits with regard to life in general; self-respect, love of others, peace of heart, it is much easier to live on an even keel. A set temperature that helps us to change the atmosphere around us. 

In the early hours of yesterday morning, I awoke with a particular company in mind. There communication, or lack of it, and the interactions of the front line staff, did not leave us with any confidence about the service they were providing. A deep call to cover them in prayer, from the leadership team, right through every staff member permeated my being. The phone call that morning was a completely different experience. I was able to be very clear about our expectations and work politely and collegially to put everything in place. This was followed up by a phone call from them, later that morning, confirming everything and giving a time frame. This had not happened before.

What lies beneath the lack of communication and front line staff’s poor customer service, is unknown. However, there are clearly deeper issues beyond what the eye can see. In this instance, we did not feel to change companies, I felt called to cover them, bless them and look for the gold in them. To be the thermostat and not the thermometer. 

It is true that life is a journey and we are often learning something new every day. We are never too old to learn.