Someone who is easy to please, does not require constant pampering, attention or gifts or things done "their way or no way." One who is genuinely happy to enjoy the company of others. Easy going, unselfish, and usually a joy to be around. Usually male, as most women are high maintenance.
- Urban Dictionary
The restaurant was noisy and crowded. A full house that night, people waited at the door to get in, every space was filled, plates piled high, wait staff bustled with trays and drinks. Across the aisle was a table for four jammed with seven diners. Loud music and big conversations filled the room.
The waitress zoomed over in high gear, a bit harried, yet friendly. 'You don't have to worry about us,' I smiled. 'We're low maintenance.'
She sighed deep, broke into a smile, and relief relaxed her body language. We assured her that we were in no rush, she could take her time. She sped off to the kitchen in high gear as we settled back with our menus and began chatting about our day.
*
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, and being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!
- Philippians 2:5 - 9*
What's a low maintenance lifestyle look like? Do you lean toward being high maintenance? Or interact with those who are?
Let's talk about the definition, the Scripture, your own experiences, and what you've learned along the way ...
Linda
P.S. With all respect to the Urban Dictionary's definition, I'm not sure that most men are low maintenance. I've known a few high maintenance characters in my lifetime who just happen to be male. {smile}
If you like this, share this!
Email, Twitter, FB, and Pinterest
share buttons are quietly available
in the gray box below
&
you can
⃟
⃟
visiting with
⃟
Photo by
Viktoria Alipatova from Pexels
What a sweet gift you gave the server! I can feel her relief from here!
ReplyDeleteI remember the days when I waited tables. Hard work!
DeleteMy husband often thanks me for being low maintenance (i.e., I can get ready very fast, ha). I view being low-maintenance as a gift to other women when we're having to share one bathroom. :) But I find that its truest gift is that it helps me be more naturally content with where God has placed me. I don't need a lot of things. (But I do need a lot of alone time; maybe I'm high maintenance in that regard?)
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe that we appreciate having lots of time and space around us equips us to be a bit more low maintenance?
DeleteI am very easy to please,
ReplyDeleteI must blush to say;
just approach my throne on bended knees
and do it all my way.
You'll find me a simple man,
just as God might have predicted,
as long as you stick to my plan,
and I'm not contradicted.
I need no honourific name;
"Your Excellency" will do,
and I have no wish for fame,
just a new Rushmore statue.
Those narcissists truly are the worst;
so save yourself trouble, and put me first.
Your Excellency!!!!
Delete;-)
Thanks for this reminder! I'm going to choose to be a low-maintenance person! Love that Urban dictionary definition. (Except for the part about guys versus girls!)
ReplyDeleteI like that we have a choice ... we don't need to go into our default mode which, for most of us, is the exact opposite!
DeleteI tend to be low maintenance around others but somewhat high at home. My secret is now out! It's sad how we (the church included) too often forget these wise words of scripture. Thanks for the reminder. I'm sure I needed it.
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, I'm in the same boat.
DeleteThe secret is out!
But it ain't no surprise ...
;-}
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at the "qualifier" at the end of the definition. This is one of those posts that I think to myself, "I know several people who NEED to read this!" Yes, they are high-maintenance people. But, before I cast blame, I need to measure myself against scripture to see if I am humble in heart, not self-seeking, patient, looking to others' interests before my own?? I like to think I'm fairly low maintenance, but maybe you should ask my husband...lol. Great thoughts to ponder!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jesus surely modeled for us what it looks like to have a humble spirit, considering others before Himself, giving up His rights. We can't even begin to grasp all that He freely released to come here to earth.
DeleteOh what LOVE.
I love the way you put that harried waitress at ease, and I can only imagine how grateful she was for your words. Making a positive difference, leaving the presence of others better than you found them, and being content - these are all things that make us feel so much better about life. It is the small things that mean the most and also the things people will most remember about us. Thank you for sharing this inspiring post, Linda. Many blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Cheryl! It's those small graces and little kindnesses that bring sparkle to our days.
DeleteI want to be more generous in spreading joy.
Starting at home ...
As someone who has waited tables in a previous lifetime, I so appreciated the gift you gave to this harried waitress. I'm sure it made her whole day!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you haven't picked up on it through my blogs, yes, I'm low maintenance, something Danny really appreciates, and something that I benefit from, too. Being calm and even-keeled is a blessing.
Blessings, Linda!
I'd like to be more calmer and even-keeled ... I'd like to think that's where I'm going as I continue to age.
DeleteMaybe more mellow?
;-}
That Urban Dictionary definition may have made me chortle out loud. ;) I do try to be low-maintenance. But, when it comes to food, due to my allergies and issues, I have to be high maintenance, and there'e not much more uncomfortable than having to ask for what I need or send something back because they didn't make it in a way that I can eat it. Your attitude toward your server at the restaurant was probably a great blessing to her. :) I really appreciated this post!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking out for your health and making smart decisions sounds smart and wise, not high maintenance, Jeanne! If we don't speak up for ourselves, who will?
DeleteMore of us should do so ...
I remember working in a specialized ice cream place that also served easy dining. On one summer night, the place filled up quickly and I was the only waitress on and one couple left me a note on the back of the bill that said I was the worst! Another couple looked at me with sympathy and said they felt so bad for me. The place was packed, line-ups out the door, and many grumblers to the point I was a 16 year-old gal crying in the bathroom. The next day the owner called me in to apologize as I guess customers called the next day complaining that they should have never just had one person on. I'll never forget that one couple that sympathized...so important to show God's grace in all our circumstances even if inconvenient!
ReplyDelete16 years old and crying in the bathroom. I'm sorry for that experience, Lynn. People have no idea what workers in any kind of service industry go through. I look back at those years as some of the hardest, high-pressure work I've done.
DeleteI'm so glad that you're remembering those kind customers. May we be just like them.
What??? Most men are low maintenance and women are high maintenance? A man must have written that! :) Such a good lesson in humility, patience, and living Christ's message.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree re: the authorship, Laurie!
DeleteI was just journaling about feeling afflicted with senioritis. Senioritis is a lack of motivation for high school students to continue studying, lacking an agenda or continuing to strive. I realized after reading your post that this “affliction” is what makes me low maintenance now as opposed to my younger days of rescuing everyone, changing the world, making a difference, leaving a legacy....hogwash, just live and rest is my motto for today. I like low maintenance. Leaves room to be considerate.
ReplyDeleteOh those days of trying to rescue, please, change the world, make a difference, leave a legacy.
DeleteHow did we ever survive the exhaustion of it all! And when did it finally hit us that we had no choice but to STOP and step aside and let God be God!
Probably after crashing and burning, yes?
I'm everlastingly grateful that you were there for me when I fizzled out. Love you always ...
And oh yes ... I'm really appreciating what you said about low maintenance leaving us more room to be considerate. Spot on, friend.
I will never forget when I had my second breakdown, you and some other church ladies came to visit. Or was it after I had surgery? What a treat to be cared for like that.
DeleteLove ya and glad God has us connected...
I remember that visit ... who would have guessed that we would become kindred spirits together ...
DeleteI'm pretty low maintenance - I think a bit too low maintenance at times! A few weeks ago in a restaurant I had ordered a drink and they brought the wrong one. I decided just to drink what they gave me because I didn't want to bother them! In that situation it didn't really matter, but I do carry that attitude into other things and I have to remind myself that there is a time to speak up about things!
ReplyDeleteOh you were quite brave to drink what they gave you, Lesley!
DeleteYes, I know a number of people that don't want to bother others. Some things don't matter a bit and deserve to be let go. Other times speaking out is a necessity. There's a fine line, isn't there. We're our own best advocates.
Sip slowly!
;-}
It's ok - it came in a bottle so I knew what it was :)
DeleteAnd it wasn't alcoholic!
;-)
DeleteI'm late to this party Linda so I may have missed the opportunity to step in as a man and say that I'm pretty low maintenance. I think Jo would agree with that. I'm the one at the restaurant who is very laid back and will make small talk with the waitress to "ease their pain." My comment of calling our waiter "Sir" made his day. (He was an African American). I am not. :) He even said thanks for making his first table of the day an enjoyable one. I feel God has time for me, therefore I should take time for others. I do like your words to the waitress.
ReplyDeleteYou're never late around here, Bill. I'm always up for a bit of conversation, ya' know!
DeleteLet's hear it for connecting to those who God brings onto our paths. They are real life people, too, with burdens and concerns. Sometimes our listening ears are exactly what another soul longs for.
And for goodness sake, if we're talking about the Lord, let's not leave chintzy tips after a meal!
'They'll know we are Christians by our love.'
I'm leaning more and more toward low maintenance. I don't know if it is due to aging or what, but I find I just can't handle a lot of drama and fuss and too much on the schedule.
ReplyDeleteOdd that the urban dictionary would distinguish between men and women like that. Like you, I have known some very high maintenance men - and low maintenance women.
I'm with you, Barbara ...'I find I just can't handle a lot of drama and fuss and too much on the schedule.'
DeleteAnd once I understood who God shaped me to be, I became free indeed.
Linda, I just know the waitress was so relieved to hear your sweet and calming words. I think my hubby and I are both low maintenance. I don’t drama well from others, and I certainly hope not to create any. You are always a joy to read!
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely to be around a couple where both are low maintenance and relaxed! Opposites do tend to attract ...
Delete;-)
One of the best things about getting older is that I am becoming more low maintenance. I learned what it's like to live harried and that doesn't work for me. Now I can step back by being more present and truly enjoy the time and people around me.
ReplyDeleteIf my attitude is to be more like Christ Jesus, I need to not let life ruffle my feathers, so to speak.
You and Carol (about 5 comments back) are coming from the same life experience observations. Sounds like a number of us have evolved over time.
DeleteThank You, Jesus!