Want a Good Burger?

notice the Scripture at the bottom left
notice the Scripture at the bottom left

I love hamburgers, always have, apparently always will.

I found a good hamburger in L.A., Los Angeles not Lower Alabama.

Monday we spent more than seventeen hours either flying or waiting to fly to Los Angeles. Once we arrived we were famished and looking for some comfort food. After renting our vehicle, we asked the attendant where we might get a good burger. He smiled really big and sent us five minutes away to In-n-Out Burgers.

I’ve heard about In-n-Out Burgers for years. My first encounter came from a series of novels I read which were centered in L.A. Over the years I have had numbers of people who have said this is the best hamburger place you can find.

I now agree. We went to In-n-Out at 7:00 on Monday night. The parking lot, drive through, and inside were swamped with cars and people. We had to wait–at a fast food establishment–for a table.

We were amazed at the number of people and at the friendly, smiling faces. The workers were moving fast–and happy to be doing it. They answered questions, smiled at customers, and helped people who didn’t know the drill (like me).  The burgers and fries were first rate (I regret not getting a milkshake so that I could give a good review as well).

This is what I didn’t know. In-n-Out is an openly Christian company. Each cup and burger wrap contains a Bible verse.

You don’t have to be a Christian or have a Christian culture to smile and give good customer service, but it is amazing how people are drawn to places they can trust and which take care of their customers.

This certainly has something to say about the church. Can we be trusted? Do we care about the people who enter our buildings? Do we give them what they really need?

Here’s what we know about people who are not yet followers of Christ. They are open to what we have to offer, but they need someone to help them through the process. They need to be invited by a credible Christian. They need good directions–where to park, which entry to take, and where to sit. They also need someone to help them know when to stand and when to sit–you know, good customer service.

So, who will do this? You and I are the church. Those who attend for the first time assume that we all are responsible for “giving good customer service.” After all, we are the people who invited them and who say that everyone is welcome.

When you are asked a question at your church, I hope you will say, “My pleasure.”

If you would like to receive my daily look at life and Scripture, you can subscribe for my free devotional by signing up on the home page of waylonbailey.com.

 

 

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12 Responses

  1. I had often heard how good the burgers were at IN-N-OUT. I heard all this on the college station on Sirius satellite radio. Too bad there is not a franchise in L.A. (Lower Alabama) where I am presently living. Waylon you are right on with this topic. Take it from someone who has visited numerous churches since moving here to Alabama, it is amazing how some of the most attended churches are also those who are the friendliness.(good cudtomer service) God has given us all different type of gifts but we all can be friendly and helpful. Just so you know FBC-COV is still at the top of my list for good customer service!

  2. The message this morning ministered to my Spirit!

    “How Much More!” The message I received.

    My preference in your writing would be to make “C” for Church as referenced to His Body in His Bride; and to keep the “c” for reference to a group location. May our focus be in Him growing His Church at our church knowing His directions on how to treat each other in His Body for His Purpose, as well as, recognize how to overcome evil with Good (God) within and without church for His Church to prevail as Promised in Him, by Him, through Him (dia).

    Thank you so much for the opportunity to live an exciting experience through your experience and example of two as one, taking on the day.

    Blessings


  3. Waylon:

    I just got back from LA night before last. My wife, of course being from Silverlake, we laughed at your blog; since we too had made a similar quest while in LA. Although I know the point of your message was more than where to find the best burger; however, Tommy’s and Fatburger are both way better than In and Out. Coincidentally, In and Out Burgers are in Dallas now if you want to make a road trip.

  4. Waylon

    growing up in CA, I loved In-n-out. They made such good food. During school in Iowa I really missed their burgers. When I told anyone about their burgers they didn’t believe me…until they came out to CA and tried the burgers for themselves. As someone else mentioned above, I know that the point of the blog wasn’t about the burger in an of itself…but it brought back memories. My wife and I just ate at In-n-out in Dallas over the weekend.

    I enjoy following your blog from afar.
    Thanks

  5. What a great subject line for a blog post. When I saw it I was hooked, hook, line and sinker. I am also “in” on the importance of good customer service in the Church. This will definitely be on my mine Sunday morning, as well as where I will get my next hamburger.

  6. What is the name of the book that is set in LA and talks about In and Out? I love a good series and if you read them, then they must be good! My husband discovered your teachings through Elder Brown from Covington, LA.
    Always looking for good books,
    Margie Ashburn

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