As it turns out, I think I jumped the gun a little on calling myself arrogant. I know, its sounds arrogant to declare myself not arrogant, doesn't it?
Let me explain. Before I started working at a fast food place a few weeks ago, I was greatly dreading it and I wrote about it. My thinking, at that point, was that those feelings must come from arrogance. Why else would I dread working at a place like that? Now, I think I know why.
I was dreading working there because I knew, in my heart, that working 30 hours a week at a job 20+ minutes from my calling, i.e. pastor of The Bridge, simply would not work. When I arrived for work that day I was actually a little excited. I dove in and enjoyed working with the people there. My primary job was not glamorous - I worked all three days taking care of the dining room which basically meant that I was cleaning the building. I didn't mind the work, even the not so pleasant parts - trash and bathrooms. I felt positive to be working.
Inside, however, it was obvious that I could not do this regularly. That job required dropping your life at that door and giving your all for the time you were on the clock. I don't have that ability right now. It also would require me to know the time I need off weeks ahead of time and I have no clue that far ahead for many things. As we set up for a big launch in January, the 30th to be exact, I have to be able to get things done when they need to be done and this job does not offer that luxury.
I learned a lot about myself and a lot about the fast food world that I likely would have never known if I didn't have that brief experience.
*I found that I don't mind work, regardless of the kind of work. I suppose that I got that from my hard-working father who drove a coal truck from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day for many years.
*I found that adults are just as prone to "drama" as youth and college students.
*I realized that there is much more to working such a job than meets the eye. It is not easy and to be done well it takes effort.
*I found that there are a lot of lonely people who need more than they have found in life so far. They may not know it, but they need Jesus.
*I found that my kids are not accustomed to having me out of the house that much, at least when they are home. They actually, at least at this stage, want me around and that is a good thing.
*I realized that serving people can be done in "ministry" and outside of ministry. I can serve someone in the church body, giving of myself to meet their needs. I can also refill a drink or clean a table as an act of service for someone. They are much more related than I realized going into this experience.
The management was willing to let me walk away after a week of working there. I think they knew all along that doing a job like that would be difficult if my heart and concentration was focused in another place. I am grateful for the experience.
God is good. I will keeping seeking.
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