Unsung Heroes
Today was/is my official first day of retirement. Just in case you were wondering, the anxiety that you have on your days off to get things done before you go back to work doesn’t magically go away on the first day. As I walked by the pile of stuff I brought home from my office for the 37th time, I had a thought: should I clean that up? Or empty the dishwasher or organize my home office or paint my living room or tackle EVERY DANG PROJECT I’VE DREAMED OF DOING FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS??!! Okay that was 5 thoughts. But honestly the constant struggle I’m in of the urgency of everything and running down the road before I’m supposed to. So typical. I can’t stop, people. But hopefully I can.
So…the answer ended up being None of the Above. I decided to go for a walk. And then write a blog post. I didn’t even make my bed first. I kind of feel like I’m mentally giving responsibility the finger. Kind of putting an exclamation point on the mug in the photo.
This writing however is not about me and my issues (as most of them are). Overthinking what retirement should look like is a post for another day. This is an attempt to sing a song to and about the people that I have worked with at ROCKHARBOR, which is difficult. Some of them were there when I started 17 years ago, and some of them I’ve only known for a few months, and everything in between.
Please don’t check out though if you think you can’t relate, because it applies to the people you work with also. It’s about those unsung heroes that are diligently working behind the scenes, often going unnoticed because they are humble and gracious and they’re not doing what they’re doing for the recognition. They’re doing it because they’re called to it and they are content with being unseen because they [should] know they are filling a position that is just as necessary and essential as the people at the top. In my personal experience, even the ones that have up front roles do so much more that none of us ever gets to see or know.
But to all of them, it doesn’t matter. Because what does matter is that they’re helping someone, or contributing to something that is bigger than them.
On my last day I shared with the staff that the only regrets I remember having over the years was that I didn’t climb the ladder. They weren’t constant regrets, just little pangs every now and again when I saw other people get promoted; it seemed I was the only one that stayed in the same position, THE WHOLE TIME. But I truly believed, and still do, that God designed me uniquely for my position. I learned to be content in that, but it wasn't always easy.
The point is, whether or not you believe in God, I think that we are each called to something unique. For some there will be more notoriety than others and that’s okay too. I have friends that are teachers, worship leaders, public speakers, and writers and they have amazing things to share that we all need to hear. What they all have in common is that they live their lives and their roles with their hands and hearts open, expectations released, un-entitled, submitted to the move of God. Pride and clinging to things that never truly belonged to us have no place and no benefit, and these people recognize that. So they let go and continue to literally do the Lord’s work with humility, quietness and grace.
I am a better person for having worked with these people, and I am inspired by every single one of them. As should you be, at your church, your workplace, the grocery store, or every place you go forever. Pay attention. Make sure the ones that think they’re invisible are seen. Affirm them in their gifts, whatever they are. Encourage them to be who God made them to be, their true selves, keep seeking their calling, going above and beyond, stepping outside their perceived titles and doing more. If you do this, they will.
That’s all for now, although I know I will think of more because they are that awesome. And I’ll keep you posted on my projects, but for now I’m just going to start sending more emojis in my text messages. Because I have time.