We have just celebrated Christmas with the frenzy of buying gifts for everyone on the lists, lists which keep growing each year. Not everyone on the list is really that important to us; however, we feel that we MUST give gifts for some purpose, be it to be liked, to keep a job, or perhaps for our own ego just to say WE gave the gift.
Is every gift supposed to be wrapped?
During my first week in the hospitality industry, certain department managers came to me to get a donation for the General Manager. My salary was 85.00 per week plus room and board and I was so happy to work 16 hours per day, 7 days a week for this. I was 26 at the time and this was no problem. Please do not ask me to do this now, 42 years later. I reluctantly gave what few monies I had, as I knew job security when I saw it in front of me. Before we continue, the General Manager lived in a townhouse supplied by the company and drove a new Riviera and had all of his expenses covered, including laundry and travel.
As an hourly employee, have you ever been faced with this situation? Have you felt pressure at the workplace to give, sometimes not outwardly being told but inwardly knowing you had better have a gift.
When will managers ever learn that the true gift is the gift of being a servant to others, a strong work ethic and a compassion for the business on a daily basis?
Matthew 5:43….You have heard it said “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….. Strong words but with great meaning.
Perhaps this should be the gift that we give at work EVERY DAY.
Suppose a fellow worker is always late, suppose a fellow worker is never quite in uniform, suppose a fellow worker does not follow up, suppose a fellow worker is just at work JUST TO GET BY with no extra effort. Are you to hate him or her? Is your gift to that person a gift of compassion to try and help, realizing of course that some persons do not really want help. It is sad that the work place today is full of non caring individuals who really do not like to be told what to do, let alone have to be responsible for work performed.
We have become a workplace of documentation, constant coaching, checking and rechecking. We have come to accept this as the normal work week. WHY?
We have rules for life don’t we? Matthew 7:12…In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Our gift to others then is giving daily of ourselves in truth and hard work. We must put our name on our work and stand by it. We make mistakes along the way but we should never do them knowingly. Is there a monetary price for this? Is this gift to be wrapped with a big ribbon on brilliantly colored paper?
Ezekiel 36:26…A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you….Why not make this the gift that we each give every day to everyone at work and in life?
Now, that really is a discussion for another day.
Blessings.