Today one of my coworkers retired after more than 20 years of service. She is a Christian woman and, in the workplace, had influence on those around her. I’m not usually one to like some of the cheesy alterations of scriptures, but as she was cleaning out her desk she brought me over the following note:
Psalm 23 (for the workplace)
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn’t cooperate every morning, I still will not stop — for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats any 401k there is!
When it’s all said and done. I’ll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I bless His name!
After she handed me this note, she walked away to do something else. And as I read it, expecting to dislike it, I smiled. I felt normal workplace tension decrease and I thought, “How true is this note.” The Lord is my shepherd, He is my boss, and no matter what kind of stress I’m under, He has got this.
As my coworker came back to get the note, probably thinking I would just hand it back to her, I told her I was going to type it up to save it on my computer. She told me in all her years, she had saved that note and read it when she was stressed to remind her of who she is representing and working for.
At the end of the day, I was helping her carry the box of her possessions to her car, as she was leaving she told me, “The secret to not getting bored in your job is always learning, keep moving forward and up.”
As a lot of people have read The Five Love Languages, I know my top language is words of affirmation. Sometimes in the hustle of work, we forget the power of words and friendships. The note reminded of who I work for, and her comment to me reminded me that others see my frustrations and not only that, but my potential.
Today I felt empowered by her words of encouragement.
Who can you encourage today?
Richard Jacobs
Worship Pastor