Take Your Eyes Off Yourself: A Vacation Reflection
Take Your Eyes Off Yourself: A Vacation Reflection
In this refreshing and transparent episode recorded from a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, Brian and Kersha Sprite share raw reflections on what it means to truly take your eyes off yourself and serve others well. Broadcasting from their family vacation—an honorary trip to celebrate Brian's late grandfather who loved cruises—they unpack powerful lessons about cultural humility, intentional parenting, and the transformative power of servant-hearted living.
From teaching their children to speak basic Spanish in Mexican shops to witnessing extraordinary service from their waiter Aldrin who literally cut up everyone's steak, this episode is filled with practical examples of what it looks like to go "90%" toward others rather than expecting them to come to you. Brian and Kersha challenge the American tendency to expect the world to cater to us while refusing to adapt to others, revealing how this self-centered mindset bleeds into every area of life—especially parenting and the holiday season.
Whether you're navigating close quarters with family during the holidays, raising teenagers through introspective seasons, or simply trying to be more present in a world that constantly demands your attention, this conversation offers a timely reminder: the dishes can wait, but the opportunity to serve and love others can't.
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🔥 What You’ll Learn
The 90% Principle: Why we need to be willing to go 90% toward others all the time, and how this posture changes everything from international travel to family dynamics.
Cultural Humility in Action: The powerful moment when a Mexican shop owner thanked Brian and Kersha for teaching their children basic Spanish phrases and being respectful—and why this small act of humility led to better deals and a memorable teaching moment.
The Waiter Who Changed Everything: How Aldrin, their cruise ship waiter, modeled extraordinary service by cutting up everyone's steak and treating them as human beings, not just customers—and what parents can learn from his approach.
Identity from Obedience, Not Introspection: Why Jesus constantly redirected His attention to the Father's will rather than looking inward, and how this principle helps teenagers (and adults) break free from the mental loops of puberty and anxiety.
The Holiday Season Challenge: Why Christmas is the perfect time to practice taking your eyes off yourself, especially when you're in close quarters with family and tempers can flare.
First World Struggles and Gratitude: Teaching children perspective by acknowledging that many people never leave their state or city, while your family is blessed to experience international travel.
The Cheese Sandwich Hug for Emotional Seasons: How pressing in during your child's struggles—rather than sending them to their room—creates the foundation for lifelong trust and open communication.
Where to Find Servant Hearts: Brian's challenge to observe your surroundings and identify who is serving, encouraging, and loving others—because if you look for it, you'll find it.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Brian: "God shared specifically about taking our eyes off ourselves."
Kersha: "We want people to cater to us, but we don't want to cater to others, but then we still want to be catered to."
Brian: "He stopped me and he thanked me, because the children were also saying gracias and de nada and por favor. He said, 'You have a beautiful family. Thank you so much for teaching your children how to customize to other native languages and to be respectful and meaningful.'"
Kersha: "We can't always just expect others to come to us. We need to be willing to go the 90% all the time, all the time."
Brian: "If we are out serving others and loving on others, then they feel our energy and our presence, and that is important for our children to learn."
Kersha: "You're very blessed. We're very fortunate to be where we are, what we're doing. Because not everybody gets that experience."
Brian: "Identity comes from obedience, not introspection."
Kersha: "Sometimes as parents, we just want to be like, go to your room. I don't have the time or the intention to give your emotions right now."
Brian: "When your child is struggling through those seasons, press in and don't pull out."
Kersha: "He wasn't just serving us our dinner, he was serving us as human beings and trying to be as helpful and generous with his time and his effort as possible."
Brian: "He made this experience way better than I could have ever, ever imagined."
Kersha: "Just take your eyes off yourself and go say hi to somebody. Just encourage someone. Just learn about other people."
Brian: "I challenge you wherever you're at. If you're out to dinner, if you're out with family, just step back for a second and observe things. And where can you find those servant people around you?"
Kersha: "Because if you look for it, you'll find it. If you choose to not look for it, it's not going to be there."
Brian: "A challenge is what can you do to be more servant hearted?"
🛑 Reflect + Apply: Questions to Ask Yourself
When was the last time you adapted to someone else's culture, language, or preferences rather than expecting them to adapt to you?
Are you willing to go 90% toward others, or do you find yourself constantly expecting others to meet you halfway?
What "first world struggles" are consuming your mental energy that could be redirected toward gratitude and service?
How are you teaching your children perspective about privilege and the importance of serving others?
During the holiday season, when you're in close quarters with family, are you pressing in or pulling away when tensions rise?
Are you running your day, or is your day running you? When was the last time you intentionally slowed down to serve someone?
Who in your life models extraordinary service like Aldrin the waiter? What can you learn from them?
Are you trying to find your identity through introspection, or are you finding it through obedience to God's will?
What does "pressing in" practically look like when your child (or spouse, or friend) is struggling emotionally?
This week, where can you step back and observe who is serving, encouraging, and loving others around you?
📖 Biblical Principles Focus
This episode centers on the heart of Christ-like service and the radical call to put others before ourselves:
Principle of Servant Leadership (Philippians 2:3-4): "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." The episode's core message—taking your eyes off yourself—is the essence of Christ-like humility.
Principle of Cultural Humility (1 Corinthians 9:19-23): "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." Paul's missionary approach mirrors Brian and Kersha's willingness to learn Spanish and adapt to other cultures rather than expecting others to cater to them.
Principle of Going the Extra Mile (Matthew 5:41): "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles." The "90% principle" reflects Jesus's teaching to exceed expectations and serve sacrificially.
Principle of Grateful Living (1 Thessalonians 5:18): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Brian and Kersha's emphasis on teaching their children to be grateful for travel opportunities reflects Paul's call to gratitude.
Principle of Christ's Example (John 13:12-15): "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Aldrin's extraordinary service mirrors Christ's humble act of foot-washing—serving others as human beings, not just fulfilling a duty.
Principle of Identity in Christ (Galatians 2:20): "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Kersha's insight that "identity comes from obedience, not introspection" echoes Paul's teaching that our true identity is found in Christ, not in endless self-examination.
🙌 Join the Movement
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the holiday season, let this episode be your permission slip to slow down and focus on what truly matters: serving and loving the people right in front of you. The world doesn't need more perfection—it needs more presence. This week, take the 90% challenge: look for one opportunity each day to go toward someone else rather than expecting them to come to you. Teach your children to say "thank you" in another language. Notice who is serving around you and thank them. Press in when someone is struggling rather than pulling away. And remember: if you look for servant-hearted people, you'll find them. If you choose not to look, they'll remain invisible.
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📩 Got questions or want to connect? Brian and Kersha would love to hear from you.
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