Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Employment (01/26/12)
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TITLE: Recognition Of Position | Previous Challenge Entry
By Vicki GRECH
01/31/12 -
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In the last few years I hit "crisis" point in my life after 27 years of works and services provided to my family. Mid-life crisis? No. More-so, mid-life awakenings! After 27 years it dawned on me one morning that I had thanked and praised everyone in my household for each and every task they ever performed. However, no one had ever thanked me! I'd wave hubby off to work each morning and greet him with thanks and praise in the evening. I would thank my children and praise them for doing little more than what was expected of them, and yet no thanks did I ever get.
My "employment" as such for the past 27 years had been with my husband and 5 children, my "family". My work and services? Let me see . . . doctor, nurse, counsellor, dentist, Santa clause, Easter bunny, tooth fairy, referee, challenger, reader, writer, accountant, cook, cleaner, laundromat and oh the list is so long and literally exhaustive! So, one day the Spirit did "so 2 speak" with me and said; "lift up your heart and seek Council with Jesus". Well, what on earth? I wondered with a gasp! Is the Bible really "current" for all time, including mine? At precisely the right moment in my life, I was given a Reading from the Bible, God's Word, and Jesus Teachings. I was reminded of all those things I'd learned as a kid, back then when they had little meaning. I was about to embark on the journey of my life!
Truly I was exhausted after 27 years of a thankless, but loving family. I would pray; "oh dear God, how do I fix this! I longed to be thanked, recognized, and appreciated verbally just once a day at least!
I could write a book about 7 years of re-learning the key elements of Jesus Teachings on how to live "well", but of course, this is not the place. However, what I can tell you is that during that 7 years of the Lord's casting and remodelling, the most profound statement I ever encountered was; "don't get mad, get even". But I am a Christian I proclaimed to God in my prayers, I cannot "get even", that is un-Christian-like! I pondered on this a while, a long time in-fact!
Sadly, my so-called common or earthly sense and logic had obstructed my ability to use my inner-senses to see the vision God had in-store for me. To "get even" did not mean to be mean. The purity of the advice was in the Words themselves and rather self-explanatory. The first part; "don't get mad", gave me the clue I needed to unfold the mystery of the Teaching. Simple . . . if I can't get mad, but I can get even, then only one cause of action was plausible; "respond like-wise".
It only took a few days for my family to build the courage to ask why I no longer thanked or praised anyone for their work and services. I told them of my three reasons. Firstly, because God's praise is enough for me. Secondly, I simply said; "it is your job", I expect it and your deeds require no thanks. Of the third golden rule I referred to the key element of the Biblical advice that would conclude our family meeting; "treat others as you yourself would like to be treated". Within the space of around 30 minutes with a firm but loving tone, I heard; "sorry", and my family departed in shame, remorse and regret.
As Jesus did, I had to teach by example, let them "think", and they learned quickly. My position of "employment" as such is now appreciated and paid by everyone; with just a hug and a simple word of thanks each day!
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Watch the little things like capitalizing the beginning of a quote if it is a new sentence, use to instead of 2, and proper punctuation. Try reading your piece aloud, if you stumble at all you may need to add a comma or restructure the sentence.
The ending was divine! I'm glad your family did thank you but even gladder (or is that more glad?) that you realize God appreciates you. This was a nice take on the topic.