Folded Potato Chips and Other Evidence of Devotion
My husband’s eyebrow arched when I announced that folded potato chips are superior to plain, flat potato chips. When he figured out I was being completely serious he, being the sensitive guy that he is, promptly burst out into derisive laughter. I was not amused. I defended my position by explaining that the extra crunchiness of the folded chip brought more chip satisfaction to the game.
And I’m not the only one who favors the folded potato chip. There are more of us out there; verily, we are among you. I once read about a couple where the wife had this same preference. The husband, while seeing absolutely no difference in flat vs. folded potato chips, calmly opened each bag when it got home from the grocery store, sorted through each and every chip… and made a bag of flat chips for him, and a bag of folded chips for her. Now that’s what I call love.
On his way home from the office, a friend of mine will stop and get warm oatmeal cookies for his wife. On the ride home (not sure his hands are in the “10:00 and 2:00” position on the steering wheel as they should be), he will patiently dig out all the yucky raisins so that he can present warm, raisinless cookies to his bride upon his arrival. That’s love.
In the best-selling book The Five Love Languages, author Gary Chapman identifies Acts of Service as one of the ways a person can express love. Not everyone will gaze adoringly into your eyes and recite poetry to you, but some people will make sure you get folded potato chips or warm, raisinless oatmeal cookies.
It’s good to remember that love can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. Maybe your spouse has not uttered those “three favorite words” to you in a few days, but he braved the frantic crowds at the grocery store and secured toilet paper for you when there was a shortage at the beginning of the COVID quarantine. To me… that’s love. Maybe your spouse handles paying the bills so that you don’t have that stressful task. That’s love. My dad never allowed my mom to pump her own gas or to visit the ATM. That’s love.
The Bible tells us that if it’s in your ability to do a kindness, you should do it. (Proverbs 3:27) Acts of kindness bless both parties to the transaction. It pretty much goes without saying that receivers of kindness feel joy. But even as the performer of an Act of Kindness, there is a joy that happens when you can brighten someone’s day with an unexpected assist, or with a little demonstration that you remember their quirks and you show them some thoughtfulness.
During my husband’s daily devotion time, I present him with a large mug of hot coffee made just how he likes it. Our morning newspaper is disassembled, ads and coupons removed, and then stacked in his preferred reading order: sports on top, then world news, then local news, then sections for home and gardening or arts and entertainment. Performing these two acts of service each morning probably takes me a combined 3 minutes, but it shows him that I honor him and want to do something to make his morning more enjoyable. That’s love.
There are many little acts that cost us nothing, but mean such a lot to others. Ever received a grateful side window salute from an 18-wheeler driver when you’ve let him in your lane in heavy traffic because his lane is blocked with a wreck or unexpected construction issue? Watch how a harried office worker’s eyes light up and her face unfrowns when you pay her a compliment, or how your restaurant server’s day is improved when you leave a bigger –than- necessary tip because the boors at the next table over were so mean to him. My sister-in-law suffers with sensitive teeth just like I do. Whenever we’re at a family gathering I make sure her iced tea is served with a straw.
I’ve been going to the same mom & pop roast beef sandwich shop for almost 40 years. The current management is comprised of grandkids of the original owners. The main guy mans the meat slicing/steaming station, makes each sandwich to order, and wraps it in waxed paper for delivery to the customer’s tray. Most wax paper wrappers are inscribed with labels such as “with onions” or “extra large.” One day the manager looked out over the steamer and saw me and called out “how ya doin’?” When my sandwich arrived, its wax paper wrapper it was adorned with a large, goofy smiley face. Such a little thing cost the sandwich maker nothing --- but it made me smile and feel warm and fuzzy inside because he honored me as a loyal customer.
As a young bride I was baffled when my mother-in-law would call me at 11:30 at night to let me know that chicken leg quarters were on sale at the local market. My husband explained that she wanted to make sure I was aware so I could experience the joy of lower grocery expenses. Sharing discounts was love.
So how can we bring joy to someone’s day with an act of kindness? Here are some things I thought of --- can you think of some?
Text a funny meme to old friend just to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Arrive home with a little snack or candy that your spouse or child loves.
Alert a friend to an upcoming event you know they’d enjoy.
Send a book or film recommendation to someone.
Run your busy spouse’s car through the car wash or fill up the tank.