Attitude
At work the security guard is a young man named Rodrick. Rodrick's job is to walk around the parking lot and make sure the cars don't get vandalized. It's a simple job, and probably a very boring job, one that someone could easily not care about and not do with much care or attention.
But Rodrick goes the extra mile.
He knows the names of almost everyone in the building, and he knows who drives what car. If he sees a car with a flat, he asks around in each suite until he finds the person who owns the car so he can tell them they have a flat. He always has some nuts to feed the squirrels, and they're not afraid of him. They'll come take the nuts out of his hand. He stands outside the front door of the building at 5pm each night and wishes everyone a goodnight.
The other evening as I was walking to my car another woman greeted Rodrick and asked him if he liked his job. His response? "I'm blessed." She then asked him if he'd be sad to lose the job, and he said, "I'd be sad if the Lord ended this job."
What an awesome witness! This young man has a job that many regard as a low job, and one that might not be worth doing well, but Rodrick gives credit to God and does the job extremely well, always giving more than 100%. He's cheerful and friendly, and always has a kind word for everyone. He takes care of all of us, making sure our cars don't get damaged and walking the women to the cars if it's dark when they leave.
His example speaks to me loudly about how our attitude impacts the way we do our job. Colossians 3:22-24 states, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything;
don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord--you serve the Lord Christ."
While it's addressing slaves, the concept applies to everyone no matter what their position in life.
Ephesians 6:5-8 repeats this instruction from God with a bit more detail: "Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ. Don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will from your heart.
Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord."
A good attitude is a
command from God, not an option. We honor Him when we do our jobs with a good attitude, which in turn becomes a witness for Him. Christians should be different in the workplace, a positive light that shows Jesus to a dark world.
Rodrick is an example all of us should copy. He does his job well and joyfully, with a great attitude.
Thank You Lord for Rodrick!
Sunday afternoon
It's been a lovely Sunday...cooler than usual and relaxing. I have some beef and lentil soup simmering on the stove, and just finished watching Animal Precinct on Animal Planet.
My TV schedule for the night is programmed into the Dish receiver. I'm set for the next 6 hours and don't have to change the channel. Tonight's lineup:
4pm - TV's Greatest Food Moments on Food Network
5pm - California's Golden Coast on PBS
530pm - California's Golden Parks on PBS
6pm - California's Gold on PBS
630pm - California Heartland on PBS
7pm - America's Funniest Videos on ABC
8pm - America's Funniest Videos on ABC (I usually watch Cold Case on CBS but it's a repeat tonight)
9pm - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Sounds fun, eh? :)
