|
September 2nd.
2009
PASSION AND PRIDE
I was remembering recently a call from a frustrated friend. She relayed
to me how she had been standing in line for a very long time with her
two toddler-age children only to reach the clerk who stated, “I am on
break” and then walked away!
Customer service…the customer is always right – or at least do your best
to make them happy – have these things gone by the wayside?
I have another friend with kids around the same age as ours who mused
the following: Every kid should work in some sort of customer service
oriented job – you know like fast food or something. Because that
teaches them the value of how you should treat people who serve you. And
every kid should have at least one manual labor job – you know something
that makes them bone-tired at the end of the day. Because that teaches
them that work is not always going to be easy – but you have to keep
doing it. And finally, every kid should have to clean toilets and or
pick up trash – maybe they will then be a little more respectful.
Interesting thoughts. You may or may not agree with my friend’s
“life-lessons for work” but my guess you can relate to the point he is
trying to make. I know growing up in a family with a strong work ethic
all of those values and others were passed on to me. My parents worked.
Yet, they also really valued the work they did. They did it with passion
and pride and as such, encouraged their children to do the same.
Unfortunately, there are many folks who never find that sense of either
passion or pride in the work they are doing. It’s just a job. And in my
experience when it’s “just a job” then the person does not care about
the work. Which in turns often translates into those you are serving –
“I’m on break!”
One of my favorite prayers from the Book of Common Prayer is: Let us
give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts freely bestowed upon us.
For minds to think, and hearts to love and hands to serve (BCP 837).
As we gather this Labor Day may we do so joyfully in thanksgiving for
the gifts God has given us, particularly the chance to use those gifts
with passion and pride.
Blessings,
The Rev. Brian N. Prior, Rector
Click to view archived 'Messages'
|
