In the early afternoon of Sunday, December 29, 2013, I sat with my friend Leslie Palmer on metal folding chairs at a white plastic table in the church’s dining/fellowship area. Lit only by the sunlight slitting through the window blinds, the room was a tranquil setting. The distant chit-chat of others who had attended that morning’s service slowly diminished as, a few at a time, they left the building and headed out to enjoy the rest of a beautiful, cool Sunday afternoon.
Leslie and I remained, because Leslie had a story to share with me.
A bright light in her early twenties, I have come to know Leslie as a good friend over the past few years and sometimes call her my little sister. Often appearing quiet and contemplative, Leslie has a Grand Canyon of depth inside her gentle heart. On the other hand, she often is bounced around like popping corn in the whirlwind that her life can sometimes be. Ever learning and growing, sometimes unsure of herself yet always willing to share, I see Leslie as having a humble, open heart not hesitant to reach out to anyone in need. In this vein, she is a member of the Kappa Omega Omicron Fraternity, an organization whose website declares, “We believe in helping the community (regardless to gender, religion, age, or nationality) with the God given talents that we possess.” ( http://www.kappaomegaomicron.org/ )
Additionally, Leslie serves as an Active Reservist - Specialist in the United States Army Reserve.
Leslie began: “Well, I know you haven’t been knowing but there was more of, uh, a opportunity; I recently got a new job. And, how it worked was, it was actually the company that I’m at now, I actually used to clean their building. And how remarkable, how God works is, you don’t know who’s watching you until you see – you notice – someone’s watching you, always.”
That statement stood out to me. You never know who is watching your life, observing your behavior, maybe because they appreciate something about you.
“Um, how it happened, just to be brief, um, I’m so used to going around, cleaning a building, saying hello, speaking to people and always having a smile on my face. No matter how… even if at the bad times, I still had a smile on my face.”
She continued, “I didn’t realize who I was speaking to was actually the manager of the corporate center. And, uh, she noticed that.” Leslie said, at one point, a team lead in the department where she was working “actually pulled me to the side and just commended me on my work ethics.”
“Then,” Leslie told me, “she just all the sudden out of the blue asked me would I like to work in the position that was being offered. And I was like, ‘Um, I would love to!’”
Time passed. Leslie waited to see what would become of this job offer. In my own life, I have learned that many time people speak words but fail to follow through. Without patience and a focus on Something higher than ourselves, we could easily become cynical in today’s world.
“It took a lot of patience, time, length of time and I just waited, waited until they actually called me,” Leslie stated. “It’s just amazing,” she reflected. “I’ve been there since October and it’s just so much give thanks to God.” Leslie told me she puts effort toward remembering to “always stay humble” and not forget where she started off. “And it’s just very much… so that’s a time in my life that I can say has changed for the better… my, you know, opportunity.”
“So would you say you’ve… turned a corner? What kind of work are you doing?” I asked.
“Well, actually, it’s a, it’s a really big change. You know I was doing janitorial for 2 ½ years and, and that last part I actually got promoted to supervisor, for a site!” Excitement radiated from Leslie as she told me, “Now I work for the actual insurance company as a clerical specialist.”
A “Wow!” leapt from my mouth.
“Mmm-hmm,” agreed Leslie. She added, “It’s very different.”
“You know what, I’m much so blessed and happy because, you know, the field, being a clerical specialist, I actually do that in the logistics field in the military.” Leslie has been given an opportunity to take this same skill set and use it in a civilian job. “I have my own desk… cubicle,” Leslie laughed, “and I’m actually, uh, got a set schedule, Monday through Friday, 8-5.”
“So it’s steady,” I added.
“It’s very steady like, where I have my 40 hours. I really do not have to worry for anything. The company has very great benefits as well so, I must say, I’m very thankful.”
I am strongly reminded of the Bible story of Joseph… sold as a young adolescent by his jealous, cruel older brothers, Joseph found himself a prisoner under the rule of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Time passed, Joseph’s gifts, talents and skills were noted and, after the passage of time and the use of a whole lot of patience, Joseph was gradually promoted to the position of Pharaoh’s second in command. Joseph spoke and business was handled. Joseph heard from God that a famine was coming and directed the Egyptians to store up food. When the famine finally came, Egypt was prepared and many were spared from starvation as a result.
Genesis 41:39-44 - "'...clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.' Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.' Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. 43 Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, 'Kneel down!' So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said to him, 'I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.'"
Here is what I take away from Leslie’s story:
- · Do your best at whatever job you are given to do.
- · Do everything like you’re doing it for God Himself. People will notice, and God will open up to you opportunities you might not have otherwise had.
- · Never forget where you’ve come from. Never forget Who made you what you are.
I hope this story is as much as an inspiration to you as it has been to me. Leslie's story is just one more good example to back up my strong conviction... that everyone's stories are worth hearing and every person has something worthwhile to say! I believe much more good is in store for Leslie! (You never know what's waiting just around the next bend in the road of your life!)
“A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. ‘ - Proverbs 29:23
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