This entry comes in light of a situation that cost me my full time job. I felt compelled to share it after I visited a web site called "Sacred Space." The daily prayers and meditations that are offered are a great resource if time and prayer are difficult or constrained. I found Holy Thursdays reading and thoughts on prayer to be especailly helpful in light of my job situation. I realized that in order to move on in my life and become the person I was meant to be, that I have to make small gradual changes over time in order to avoid what happened. Prayer is an essential element of this process as well. Enjoy and have a blessed Easter season! Witt
I came in through the back door night after night, probably without you even being aware of my presence. I gathered the tools of my trade; broom, bucket, mop and went about the tedium that housekeepers are accustomed. I followed a precise routine of dust mopping, gathering up the remnants of a days’ activity and scrubbed away the dirt and scuff marks that accumulate over the course of time. Having done this, I began to put back the shine that was once there before so many passing feet had dulled the surface beneath them. I carefully guided the buffing machine across the well trafficked areas and then surveyed the results. I then moved on to the remaining areas in which I was charged to repeat the process all over again.
There were times when you may have noticed my displeasure at the deep scratches or the excess dirt that was left in the hours before I came in to do my work. You may also have witnessed my concern for the well being of a resident who seemed restless and unable to sleep or crying out in the darkness for a hand to reach out and comfort them. More often than not, you probably noticed the times when I was not so silent and purposefully made my presence known. Know this, that everything I did while performing these duties was a reflection of the servant; employee in today’s terms. Though paid to perform such tasks, I took great pride in my work and found a deeper meaning to the mundane routine. I often took a moment to silently pray for the struggling resident or aide or nurse whose situation was troubling or difficult to deal with. On more than one occasion I found myself praying outside the room of a dying resident or one who had recently passed.
It was at these times that the simple humility of my job took on a whole new meaning; one of a higher purpose, to show compassion. Though I regret some of my actions in this world with a disdainful eye and would certainly take them back if I could, I still cannot forget the humble servant who tried his very best to set an example for others to follow. While I may have forgotten this humble mission during a moment of utter distress, I still pray for those who only saw the worst in me and have called me “a monster” in their private conversations. For this I do not hold a grudge or wish any harm or malice, only that you pray for me and I for you that we may find better ways to be humble servants and examples of love and compassion for others to follow. Take care and Go with God my friends. Now you know me for who I truly am instead of “just the floor guy.”
I came in through the back door night after night, probably without you even being aware of my presence. I gathered the tools of my trade; broom, bucket, mop and went about the tedium that housekeepers are accustomed. I followed a precise routine of dust mopping, gathering up the remnants of a days’ activity and scrubbed away the dirt and scuff marks that accumulate over the course of time. Having done this, I began to put back the shine that was once there before so many passing feet had dulled the surface beneath them. I carefully guided the buffing machine across the well trafficked areas and then surveyed the results. I then moved on to the remaining areas in which I was charged to repeat the process all over again.
There were times when you may have noticed my displeasure at the deep scratches or the excess dirt that was left in the hours before I came in to do my work. You may also have witnessed my concern for the well being of a resident who seemed restless and unable to sleep or crying out in the darkness for a hand to reach out and comfort them. More often than not, you probably noticed the times when I was not so silent and purposefully made my presence known. Know this, that everything I did while performing these duties was a reflection of the servant; employee in today’s terms. Though paid to perform such tasks, I took great pride in my work and found a deeper meaning to the mundane routine. I often took a moment to silently pray for the struggling resident or aide or nurse whose situation was troubling or difficult to deal with. On more than one occasion I found myself praying outside the room of a dying resident or one who had recently passed.
It was at these times that the simple humility of my job took on a whole new meaning; one of a higher purpose, to show compassion. Though I regret some of my actions in this world with a disdainful eye and would certainly take them back if I could, I still cannot forget the humble servant who tried his very best to set an example for others to follow. While I may have forgotten this humble mission during a moment of utter distress, I still pray for those who only saw the worst in me and have called me “a monster” in their private conversations. For this I do not hold a grudge or wish any harm or malice, only that you pray for me and I for you that we may find better ways to be humble servants and examples of love and compassion for others to follow. Take care and Go with God my friends. Now you know me for who I truly am instead of “just the floor guy.”
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