Way back when I was in college I worked as a waitress at a restaurant called “The Black Lantern.” When I started, I needed to ask others for help or to show me where things were. There was this sous chef who was really difficult to work with. If ever I asked him if he could tell me where to find something, etc. he we always respond with the same phrase, “Ain’t my job, man. Ain’t my job!” I worked with this guy over 40 years ago, and I can still hear it so clearly.
This morning, as I walked up the stairs and past the staff kitchen, I was greeted as I usually am, by Mr. Ade. He is always in the kitchen at 7:45. Why? Because he consistently takes time each morning to empty the dishwasher that ran during the night. Emptying the dishwasher is definitely not in his job description. I suppose it could be included in the “do anything else your immediate supervisor asks you to do,” but he has never been asked to do this. He does it completely on his own. Mr. Ade is a real servant.
Mr. Ade is not the only person at ICSV who goes out of his/her way to serve others. Perhaps you have noticed the beautiful spring flowers as you enter the building to drop off or pick up your kids. Our own Mrs. Svatek took it upon herself to beautify the school this way. They bring a smile to my face every time I walk by. Thank you, Mrs. Svatek!
I have a quote hanging on my wall that says, “It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.” This quote is attributed to Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk from France who was assigned to work in the kitchen at his monastery. This humble monk understood that whether he was cooking meals, running errands, or scrubbing pots, he was doing it all as an act of love.
I pray that we will never have the attitude that we won’t help someone in need because it “ain’t my job.” God has called us to be servants. Thank you, Mr. Ade and Mrs. Svatek, for demonstrating this every day at ICSV!
Because of His Faithfulness,
Sharon Brobst, Director