Loving Others Well

Watching the elementary age students in my sons’ school cafeteria on Friday was inspiring. The children were so excited not because of lunch but because of the two gentlemen sitting at the end of the table before they reached the serving line. I witnessed each child, no matter their race or gender, wait in anticipation of reaching the gentlemen. The children and gentlemen exchanged either a high five, fist bump, or their favorite handshake. It was so sweet seeing the children wait in line to be acknowledged with a loving embrace. They had smiles on their faces and appeared to honestly be in the moment.

One would think the gentlemen were special guests or possibly the principal/leadership of the school. Actually, they were the custodians/janitors at the school. I’ve visited the cafeteria on numerous occasions during both of my sons’ lunch periods and noticed the same loving gestures. I can describe those moments in two words: pure joy.

You see many people may look down on these gentlemen because they think the jobs are not important enough or high enough on the success ladder. Children, however, are great at figuring out the authenticity of a person. The children adore these men and quite honestly the men adore them as well. They didn't care about the position the men held. They realize the men care about them and that's all that matters.

Growing up my mom's profession was a janitor/custodian as well. She cleaned her elementary school with excellence. She took pride in making sure the school was in the best shape it could be. The children loved her and still remember her even 20-30 something years later. Mrs. Linda, as they called her, holds a special place in many of the children's hearts until this day. People still tell me stories they remember about my mom and what she did for them while they attended her school. I believe she made an impact on those children and the gentlemen at my sons' school will continue to make an impact on their children as well.

Maybe all of us can learn from these children and not assign dignity or worth to a human being based on WHAT they do. Instead we should love others because of WHO they are. We need to treat everyone with respect because they are worthy of respect. God assigned dignity and worth to all His creation. How dare we as the created try to change what the Creator set in motion. Let's not think too highly of ourselves believing we are better than others. Truly, it doesn't matter your job position as long as you are positioned in right standing with Christ and reflecting His glory in all you do. 

Look to the gentlemen and my mother as an example of loving others well. Strive to make an impact in someone's life no matter our position or theirs. People are looking for authenticity and compassion. Give it to them freely because you know they are worthy of the investment. 

In Christ,

Alissa

"Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men." Colossians 3:23 HCSB

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3 NIV