You are a server in a restaurant?
Yes, but not exactly a restaurant, not a typical one. I work in a retirement community. We have both assisted and independent residents. I've been trained to work in both restaurants, but have strictly been working on the independent side for some time. We serve about 140-150 people a night. It's the same people because they live there. We know them all by name, and by attitudes too.
Most of them are the greatest group of people you would ever want to meet. I love this generation and will be sad when they are gone from the earth. Even though many are not saved, they at least have integrity and morals on the most part. God has given me a special place in their hearts it seems. They have a 1 in 4 chance of me who is serving them. When they find it is me they are so glad. That makes me feel so good! I love to make them happy, and sometimes it means singing a song to them. They discovered at a talent show I can sing, and I have become grossly overrated in my ability, and am complimented to the point of embarrassment sometimes. Anyway, some of them ask me to sing for them and when I am not too busy I do. I take great joy in making them happy, and it does. However, there are few songs I know that aren't to the LORD or about Him, so they end up hearing all about Jesus.
I'm often asked why I am so happy, and that is another great tool.
I am severely oppressed there by some work mates.
It is not easy but I am continuing to do the right thing, and am praying for the LORD to show me how to handle each situation. Sometimes I get so tired I can't do anything because I'm just too worn out. I know when I'm tired is NOT the time to address any work issue, and if and when I do I will conduct myself in a professional and respectful manner. Right now I can't. Too much spiritual opposition at the same time.
I'm seeing things in me too that needed addressing.
I have such a high work ethic, a "Daniel" attitude of doing things with excellence. I also eat extremely healthy and have great energy, on the most part, and I out work most of them even though they are only in their twenties. As a result, I have to watch I don't get resentful. I am a great team player, but when I feel like I am the team and everyone else is on the bench, it gets hard.
Especially when you add in the fact that the new assistant manger, who was a server, is young, vindictive, and vengeful. When I was a floor supervisor over him, I often had to have him go back over his work because he left things undone. He hasn't forgotten. He was lazy, and didn't do it. I asked him, because it was my job to see everything was done right. Now he is above me and that may be why he puts a noticeably greater workload on me. Never mind all the attitudes and comments he makes. I'm having a very hard time with him. I am praying for him, because I want him to know Jesus, and I want all I do in relation to him reflect Jesus. I may truly be the only Jesus he sees in his life right now. So I have been watchful of my attitudes and actions towards him. I have covered his back countless times in the 3 week period he has been promoted. He still does not do a thorough job and I am going behind him and without anyone watching, cleaning up after him. I congratulated him on his promotion, oh the flesh cringed on that one, because I honestly think that was the poorest decision I've seen the higher ups make. Apparently they do not see all. But I know one who does!
The things I see in me are a perfectionism kind of thing I guess. I get made at the injustices. I think others should be working hard too. I get mad when the lazy ones take food home when we are not allowed to do that. I get mad when I ask am denied. I get mad when the sous chef sneaks alcohol form the bar in a Styrofoam cup and a host other things employees do wrong. Never do I show my anger. I stay controlled, watching my tongue. I get tired of parking far from the building in the designated place, and others pull right up front.....and then they get promoted. On and on and on it goes without exaggeration. So inside I am fuming. I forgive, but I do want justice. Do I do everything right? Of course not. But I do walk in integrity, am teachable, will admit to wrongs I do, and forgive everyone who has offended me. I don't carry around attitudes. I greet everyone cheerfully, I offer to help everyone, and am not treated the same in return. How can one expect the world to though, right? So where does that leave me? Another day of fortitude and perseverance, of watching the wrong-doers be rewarded. My joy is every time I turn my eyes on Jesus, every time I lift my voice to praise Him, every time I walk in love to those who wrong me, every time I hold fast to every good thing.
I think I do the job better. Maybe that is my wrong. But how can I stop? I must do always do my best. I must do my job and take up the slack when others don't. Otherwise it would not be good for the company, and I was hired to work for them. I owe it to them, or else I am stealing from them.
I have a principal and it is this - I work as if I made a $1,000 a week because I work for Jesus. I work as if He were my boss, and really, He is. He sent me there on assignment. I went there 1 yr. and 11 mo. ago with that purpose. And I must be steadfast in it. Everything I do represents Him. I want it to be good. He is worthy. My life is lived as a praise offering to Him. He is worthy.
Irene!!! We've been praying for you, and Raymond. How are things now?
