Lessons from Elvis

For the last three years or so, twice a year, Elvis shows up in our small town. Each time he stays for about 45 minutes and then he leaves, only to show up again in six months or so. Am I a huge Elvis fan? Not really! I don’t mind the music, but I thought he died the year I was born, and I don’t think I ever owned a CD growing up. So why then have I been so influenced by this man who keeps showing up? The first time I saw him perform, it was pretty good, I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. But it wasn’t about the first time, it was about every time after that. The first time I saw him, the music was good, and he did an awesome job of going around and interacting with the people in the audience. He passed out scarves and stayed for pictures. He did such a great job that right afterwards everyone talked about how they wanted him to come back again. The next time we had something for the town, Elvis was there again! This time was different though, he didn’t act like a performer who was invited to be there. He acted as though he was visiting old friends. He knew places, he knew names. It was supposed to be a time of entertainment, a time for some people who were struggling to forget about everything else going on. Every time he put his scarf around someone, they would smile like they were seeing Elvis in his prime. Then he was gone again! The next few times he showed up, again they were different. One time he focused on a lady who had never been there before. She had a great time and after the show she had her picture taken with him. She was so happy! A few months later she passed away unexpectedly. When Elvis showed up the next time, he mentioned her. Another time he was there, so many kids showed up. Small kids, as in under the age of ten. They loved the show, one of them knew all the words to his songs. Elvis made sure to give her attention and appreciation for knowing his songs. The next time he showed up, that young girl was there again. He went to go sing Amazing Grace and he handed her a microphone. She got to sing with Elvis!

So why does all this matter? Is this website changing to an Elvis fan page next week? I assure you that my priorities haven’t changed. I just mention it because I could clearly see how Elvis made people feel. He would mention how much he loved our small town and how he loved coming here. That made people feel special. He would remember a name and say Thank you to them for everything that they did. That made them feel important and noticed. How do people feel when they leave a conversation with us? Do they feel listened to? Do they feel important? Do we follow up with people when we know that they are hurting? How is it that Elvis does a better job putting names to faces than I do? The older I get, the more it hurts when I feel ignored. I remember reading a long time ago that when someone comes into your office you have two choices. You can tell them to hold on a minute and finish what you are doing. Or, you can stop what you are doing and give them your full attention. That means that you turn away from your computer and you look them in the eyes. What do we normally do when someone comes and talks to us? We continue to focus on our tasks and sometimes we don’t even look up. We let them walk away feeling like they don’t matter at all. We are supposed to love people the way Jesus loves us. Can you imagine Jesus not looking at us when we are talking to him. We go to him with an issue, a struggle and he just keeps looking at something else. Would we feel loved? Recently I was told about a situation where I dropped the ball. I didn’t follow-up with someone that really needed to be followed up on. I can’t stop thinking about how that person is feeling. I can’t stop thinking about how she is hurting. My goal this week is to somehow find a way to follow-up and ask for forgiveness. I need to do a better job of making sure people feel good when they leave a conversation with me. I need to do a better job of following up with people and making them feel important and loved.

P.S. Just in case you want to visit our small town, I’m really hoping Elvis shows back up in October!