On Average

On Average

They will be called “children of the living God.”

Romans 9:26

Traveling around the world is both an exhilarating and a frightening experience, especially for first timers. Going from country to country presents many challenges, such as changing languages, changing types of money, changing foods, and especially changing customs and cultures. You can get yourself in hot water in a hurry, if you’re not careful.

The issue of tipping or not tipping is always tricky to me. In some places you are expected to tip; in other places tipping is considered inappropriate. And keeping this straight is not easy. For instance, in Germany you are expected to tip the attendant in the public restrooms. Who would’ve thought of that? (I certainly didn’t the first time.) But when you’re traveling with a tour group, you don’t usually tip the waiters because the tip has already been included in the price you paid for the trip. Sigh.

In the early 1920s, a gentleman who had very little experience in travel had made a transcontinental trip by train. As he was about to leave the train, he was in some doubt as to how much he should tip the Pullman porter who had catered to him throughout most of the journey.

“Sam,” he asked, “what is the average tip you receive from passengers who travel with you cross-country as I have?”

“Five dollars,” replied Sam with a grin.

The passenger promptly pulled a five-dollar bill from his wallet and handed it to Sam, saying, “Thank you so much for your good service, Sam.”

Overcome and embarrassed, Sam shuffled his feet for a moment, and then he said, “Well, sir, I reckon I ought to tell you that, so far, you are the first one that’s come up to the average.”

Happily, when it comes to being a Kingdom traveler, there is no such thing as average. We all have safe passage as sons and daughters of the King!

Father, we are so blessed to be your children and on our way to live with you eternally. Thank you for adopting us into your family. Amen.