2/27/2020 0 Comments PerspectiveLately, my perspective has been a little skewed towards the negative. Since I took the job at the warehouse, I have been a little cynical and disillusioned. I’m not sure how many times I wanted to snap at someone who asked how things were going with a snarky comment like: “Things are just peachy! I am living the dream right now. 52, working in a warehouse, paying off student loans for three kids and I have a fourth in college.” But I would bite my lip, grimace, and just say I am okay.
Okay. the answer that means nothing. It's a cop-out commentary on the true state of affairs. I was back to whining about how my years of being an almost(I had plenty of part time jobs) stay-at-home mom left we ill prepared to reenter the workforce when the kids left home. Then I went to my prayer group and mentioned just a bit of what was bothering me. The joy of being in a community of Christian believers where you can be real and honest is amazing. One of the ladies in the group reminded me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be when my kids were growing up. Another reminded me of the three year plan I have right now and how this job was going to get me there. I looked into the faces of my friends and saw that they weren’t going to let me spiral into pity and wallow there. Today, another really good friend dropped by for a few minutes and just visited with me. It was enough to change my perspective and reassure my spirit that I am in the right place at the right time right now. And the truth is, I have grown to kinda like my job at the warehouse! Who knew a physically challenging job could be as rewarding as some of the other things I have done? This morning as I was standing around at “Stand Up” (yes, that’s what it is called), I received recognition for being one of the five fastest pickers. No, that isn’t a reference to nose picking, it’s a part of our job description. I have received this highly esteemed(sarcasm implied) honor a few other times so now I have enough swag bucks to purchase a pair of cheap sunglasses from the swag store. I mean who doesn’t want a pair of white sunglasses emblazoned with the company’s well known smile logo on it? Stylin’! Some of the people that work there are the angry, sullen ones I mentioned in my last post, but a lot of them are just individuals trying to do their best to make a living. Many have two or three other jobs, I don’t see how they do that! I am exhausted getting up before dawn most mornings, working, and then doing all the stuff I used to do before the job. I still haven’t figured out where to squeeze a little extra rest into my day. Oh well, at least Sunday afternoons are still open. One takeaway from the new job is that any food is acceptable as a breakfast food. I walked into the break room the other day and smelled the heavenly aroma of barbeque. I never would have thought of ribs as a breakfast food before, but it just makes so much sense now. My coworker had left over ribs and shared them with a few us lucky enough to be in there when she was heating them up. The strong black coffee that they serve in the break room pairs deliciously with smoked meat. Culinary genius at work! Bonus! The people at my job have finally learned my name. Two months on the job and they now know who I am. One lady pointed at the magnet with my name and picture and exclaimed rather incredulously, “That’s you?” I nodded in the affirmative which made her ask in a slightly more questioning tone, “THAT’S YOU?” I assured her that the person with makeup and combed hair on my ID was in fact me. I wasn’t sure exactly what she found the hardest to believe, that the picture and the real me were so vastly different, and I didn’t really want to know. Another of the managers asked my name during one of the trivia challenges and then exclaimed, “Oh, you’re Whitney.” Not sure how to take that, but like I said they are learning my name. I have met some really nice people from all over the world who have chosen to move, live, and work here. Their stories are as interesting as their accents. One of them even knew a friend of mine who was very active in the Indonesien Church in the area. I have observed one young man who works really hard trying not to do any actual work. He takes five minutes at the water fountain, shuffles his feet slowly down the aisles, and talks unceasingly about anime to anyone who will listen. His manner of not doing things is harder than just doing the things we are asked to do. There is the passive-aggressive cart crasher who “unintentionally” bumps into other people’s carts with regular intentionality. At first it was aggravating, now I just pray for the random anger that seems to propel him to do what he does. There is the old, cranky white guy who is almost a characterchure of what a grumpy old man would look like. I don’t even know his name, but I sure know his voice. The only one that he doesn’t seem to bother is the young man who clearly loves his medical mariuana licence and the freedom it gives him. I really like that young stoner. Nothing gets him down, literally; his head is always in the clouds. There are even a few ladies that I would call friends, not like the ones in my tribe or my prayer group, but work buddies. We help each other when we can and chat about getting converted to the elusive blue badge. Overall, working at a warehouse is not my dream job, but it is the first step in the destiny that God is calling me into. The plan was (is) clear: get a job, pay down debt, get back in school, change the world. I may have added that last one! I’m still working on step one and two. I can’t rush ahead or I will lose sight of the goal. God’s timing, not my timing. I did what I was supposed to do then, now I have a different path. More than that, God keeps reminding me that my life isn’t over yet. I’m not too old or unqualified to do what He wants me to do. I still have time to do the things I dreamed of when I was in my twenties. He gave me the wonderful gift of a family and I would never change that. Now, He is gifting me with the chance to realize some personal dreams. I just have to stay the course and believe! ( And I think that ribs are going to be a menu option next time I serve brunch.)
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AuthorI am a Christian, a wife, a mom, and a part-time basket case who wants to be a full time writer.
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