Just Do It!
Last week, I was visiting with my 47 year-old brother. He is mentally challenged, but is able to work part-time. He cleans bathrooms at a rest stop, and holds up a sign to bring customers in for a local barbershop. You definitely won’t find these two jobs listed in the top 10 most wanted occupations on Yahoo, but they mean everything to my brother.
When I asked him how things were going, I found it interesting that I didn’t hear him complain – not even once – about standing in the bitter cold as he held a sign for hours – for only a few dollars. (How many of us would say – it’s not worth it!) Never once did I hear him describe how horrible it was to clean up after strangers, and how he couldn’t believe how dirty or careless they were in the bathrooms. Rob simply cares that he does his part and gets the job done right. What commitment.
After we exchanged gifts, Rob shared something that recently happened to him at the rest area. He said that one night while he was cleaning, a traveler handed him 50 dollars and told him that he could tell that he was a hard worker, and wished him a Merry Christmas. We don’t have a clue who this person was, but I so wish I could thank him – not necessarily because of the monetary gift, but because of what he said. It was his praise that my brother appreciated the most.
God continues to talk to me through my brother. Why it surprises me every single time, I don’t know because I always walk away with a lesson. Rob’s experiences remind me that life isn’t always pleasant. It’s never easy. It’s often uncomfortable and sometimes downright dirty, but the important thing is that we never give up and press on to do our part.
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:14
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
We may not receive gratitude or praise for our efforts, but there will be a day, a glorious day, when we will hear the following words as we step into eternity: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ~Matthew 25:21
WOW! What a glorious day that will be….
Live-Write 
Thanks so much for sharing this…
You’re welcome, Steve. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this….
Thank your heart for my heart. I needed this reminder. Bless you dear.
– Heather
You are welcome. Amazing how God works, isn’t it? 🙂 Have a blessed new year.
It is a very inspiring message. It is often those that have the least are the most thankful, while many who have much, continue to crave more. We should all learn to be thankful for what God has given us. There is nothing wrong in striving for success, it is something we should all do, But all to often the goal becomes an obsession and blinds many to the blessings they already have. I truly enjoy your writings, please keep them coming.
Thank you, Ken! Your words of encouragement came at the perfect time. I enjoy reading yours, too. I’m sure that one day, I will be reading yours out of a book.