Full Service

Gone are the days of the full service gas station.
I remember sitting in the front seat of the car with my mother.
We would pull into the gas station and an attendant would immediately come out.
Fill ‘er up? he would ask enthusiastically.

Yes, please, my mother would say as she rolled her window back up.
Rain or sunshine it was the same.
There were a few attendants ready to serve each of the cars at the pump.
There were not as many pumps as we have now but enough to keep them busy.

The attendant would operate the pump, wash the windshield, and check the oil.
Often, he even checked your tire pressure.
Payment was given to him and sometimes a small tip for all he did.
There was always oil under his fingernails and around the cuff of his shirt.

We would sit in the car and continue with our conversation as the attendant worked.
I would giggle when an attendant would smile as he cleaned my side of the windshield.
I can still remember asking my mother what 69.9 meant.
She explained that was the price per gallon of gasoline; almost 70 cents a gallon.

Some stations were full service station with a mechanic on hand.
Flat tires were changed for you in the service bay.
People would often leave their cars for repairs; the mechanic knew you by name.
The next day you would find your car parked next to the building waiting for you.

Until the 1970’s, full service was the norm; self-service was rare.
In 1979, there was an energy crisis.
Long lines plagued every gas station.
Once at the pump, you could only put $5.00 worth of gas in your car.

People walked or rode a bike when they could.
My husband and I were dating at the time and he often rode his bike to see me.
It was an uncertain time.
Far away places, with problems all their own, affected our way of life.

People spoke of energy conservation, fuel efficiency, and price controls.
New phrases became a part of our everyday language.
We soon realized that what we once had was gone.
In its place was higher prices, no service, do it yourself everything, and pay at the pump.

You were no longer going to a place where everybody knows your name.
The Mayberry and the Mitford towns seemed non-existent.
Households became two family incomes and children went to day care.
Neighborhoods were empty during the day; family dinners were few and far between.

I thought of all of this as I took my car to the dealer for a recall.
The dealership had been renovated and the changes were amazing.
I pulled up to a service bay and an electronic garage door opened for me.
I drove in and an attendant came to meet me.

He greeted me and told me to leave my keys in the ignition.
He gave me a neon orange claim tag and pointed me inside.
I was greeted again by smiling people who efficiently began to handle this small repair.
I was told the expected waiting time and went to breakfast with a friend who met me there.

About forty-five minutes later, they called my cell phone to tell me the work was done.
We finished our breakfast and went back to pick up my car.
I was greeted again by efficient, smiling people and an attendant was called.
He got my car for me and pulled it into the bay, ready for me to drive home.

It was the 1970’s all over again.
Is there anything else we can do for you? he asked, and he meant it.
There was nothing else.
Thanking him for the trip down memory lane seemed a bit much.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark
10:42-45)

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve.
Jesus, who should have had legions of angels at His service, willingly became a servant.
Jesus, who should have had all of His disciples bowing before Him, washed their feet.
Jesus, who had no place to lay His head, is preparing a place for us.

Full service by the King.

And we grumble when we have to do more than is expected of us.
And we complain when we are not compensated the way we think we should be.
And we gripe that so-and-so has it better than we do.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. (Ephesians 6:7)

Wholehearted service.
Full service.
Service with a smile.
A bit of nostalgia.