William sat on the porch swing, glass of lemonade in hand. He peered down the long driveway. It was nearly time. Sure enough, moments later, Josh ambled down the driveway, head down, kicking rocks, shuffling his feet in the dirt. He joined his grandfather on the porch swing.
“What’s on your mind, son?”
“I hate my boss.”
“Hate is a strong word.”
“Well, he deserves it. Dylan was late getting the party trays together, and Mr. Nelson fired him. It wasn’t Dylan’s fault. Two people called out sick, and we were short-handed. He had so many other things to do he couldn’t finish the trays in time. Mr. Nelson is so mean. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to be so busy.”
“No?”
“No. He sits in his office in the back of the store and pushes papers around. He makes a ton of money, while we do all the work and get minimum wage. He doesn’t understand how hard we all work. The worst part is, when Kaitlyn tried to talk to him about how it wasn’t fair, he got mad and started yelling at all of us. He told us we all needed to shape up or we’d be next. Now everyone wants to quit.”
“Have you ever looked at it from his perspective?”
“From Mr. Nelson’s perspective?”
“He’s responsible for the whole store. He has to make sure the store earns money or he’d have to close the business. He has to deal with all kinds of employees. Sure, there are some good ones, but I bet he’s had some difficult ones too. People who don’t show up, who steal from the cash register, who don’t respect his authority or are rude to the customers… He had to make a tough decision today. Maybe it was the right one, maybe it wasn’t, but I bet those party trays had to go out for an event, and if they weren’t ready on time, he would have had to deal with an angry customer. That’s never easy.”
Josh poured himself a glass of lemonade from the nearby pitcher. “I guess.”
“You’re only there a few hours after school and on the weekends. Mr. Nelson is there all the time. I’m sure he has to keep working even after the store is closed.”
“I never thought about it that way. I just feel bad for Dylan because he didn’t deserve to be fired. Everyone’s mad because they like him.”
“Just because someone is likeable doesn’t mean they’re the best employee. Mr. Nelson must have had his reasons. Maybe the party trays weren’t the first time he was late with an order. Either way, that’s not what’s most important right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because you can only control yourself. I’m sure Dylan will get another job. What’s more concerning is your attitude. Eternity is a long time.”
Josh scrunched up his nose. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, we’ll have trials in this life. The trials shape us, help us grow closer to God if we’ll let them. What if Mr. Nelson doesn’t know the Lord? What if he’s under all this stress because he doesn’t have peace in his heart? You are blessed. You have the Lord to guide you in difficult situations. I hope you’ll reconsider what you said earlier.”
“What did I say?”
“That you hate Mr. Nelson.”
Josh leaned back against the swing. “I don’t hate him. But I am still mad at him.”
“Anger is not a sin. It’s what you do with that anger that matters. What do you think you should do?”
Josh bit his lip and stared at the sky, silent for a long moment. “I think I’ll pray for Dylan to get another job, and I think I’ll pray for Mr. Nelson.”
William’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “Oh?”
“You’re right. Eternity is a long time. If Mr. Nelson doesn’t know Christ, then I need to pray for him.”
“You may find a side effect to that.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve found when I’ve prayed for someone, my entire attitude toward them changes. You just may start liking Mr. Nelson after all.”
1 Samuel 16:7 For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
Mark 12:31 Love your neighbor as yourself.
Lord, sometimes we believe we or others have been unfairly treated. We can look at the person who caused the problem as an enemy. But you tell us to love our enemies and do good to those who harm us. How quickly our attitudes would change if we truly tried to see things from their perspective. Granted, sometimes in this life we will be wronged. Sometimes people act in a hurtful or damaging way. In that case, You call us to forgive them, whether we feel they deserve it or not. Lord, as we struggle with hurts, please help us forgive those who have hurt us. Help us to remember all people are Your children, Lord. None of us deserve Your love, grace, and forgiveness, but You freely give it. Please help us to be more generous with our love and forgiveness as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Karen
I loved this weeks story. You are right about what you said. I believe that we all should love one another and forgive each other just like God does for each of us. Sometimes it might’ be difficult but we should look at it through God’s words and always pray 🙏 for others. Praying 🙏 for others is one of the best things to do, especially those that may not know the Lord and his love and forgiveness.
I love fruit salad too and that was good words of how fellowship with others would be great with fruit salad. I hope you have a blessed week and feel God love with you and everyone.
God has changed my attitude toward someone on more than one occasion after I prayed for them. God bless you!
Karen
You are correct about that, God has changed my feelings upon people after I have pray 🙏 for them also. I love how God helps us in so many areas of our life. It is so nice to hear your message each week. I look forward to reading them and hearing God’s gift to you through each word. May God be with you and your family and shine his light upon you. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. I’m glad these little stories are a blessing to you.
I really enjoyed the story. It really makes one pause and pray for understanding and realizing that we do not have all the facts about some ones life and praying for others is following the Lord’s way.
I agree: sometimes we need to try to see life from other’s perspectives. Very rarely do we have the whole story as to why people do what they do.
I did not get the chance to read your Sunday newsletter until after noon on Monday.
I recently got a job at a newer senior living community in my area. The residents are wonderful and my management team is also great.
But expectations for resident service are also very high.
Yesterday, the assistant executive director was the manager on duty, and she had to take time out of her day to cover my lunch break.
I made sure to tell her thank you, and asked when she found the time to do her own job, because I have never seen her at her desk in her office.
She said that she had spent most of the past month providing resident care in our assisted living wing.
I told her in reply, that I have never seen a management team that has worked so hard with any part of the staff that needs help. And that I would help her hide away as much as I could that day so that she could do some of her own work.
If she can provide hands-on care and the executive director can wait tables in the dining room, I can certainly go a little out of my way to help my coworkers cover the tasks we need to do.
And I let her know that I am aware that my management team is constantly squeezed between the demands from corporate offices and the employees, as well as resident expectations and needs.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and she reached out with a hug. I think she really needed to know that the effort was not invisible to everyone.
I found it very affirming to read this devotional today, of all days, and remember how much a few kind words of acknowledgement can help another. To know that they are seen, heard and/or recognized for the effort they are making can be all the difference in their life.
You were my own pat on the back, as I am working an extra shift today to cover for a coworker who is recovering from dental surgery. Sometimes we need to be there for those people who need a helping hand, and a kind word.
Thank you for sharing this story with me. It’s wonderful you’re able to shine a light in your workplace. Sometimes all it takes is a simple word of encouragement or a few minutes to help someone out. God is using you in that community!