This morning as I was dropping Gav off I saw the custodians directing traffic. It caused me to pause and give thanks for these men and women who often go under appreciated. When we pause to think about the work they do, 99% of us would rather not do it. Yet they do it, and to be honest the custodians I know do it with a smile on their face - while also often times bringing smiles to the faces of the students, staff and families they work with.
I just wanted to take a moment today to share my appreciation for who they are and all they do usually, especially in these times. I’ll reach out to them directly but I wanted to raise awareness that they are such an essential part of our school communities.
I also feel compelled to share one of the best life lessons I learned which was from Big J, a custodian at the school where I was a PE teacher.
Big J was such a content person. I was in my twenties when I worked with him and was curious what made him so content, especially when I saw him cleaning up the messes in the school daily. So one day I asked him.
He told me, “I love my simple life. While other people want more, I have saved up enough to retire. I have what I need to live a good life. I don’t need much, just gas in my truck, food on my table and to go fishing when I want to.”
I share this today because I have carried Big J’s words of wisdom with me all these years. And when I looked at all the cars driving in and out this morning, I was curious how many of us are content like Big J, living a simple life with what we need, or are we striving for more?
Either way, I invite you to join me today to...
pause. breathe. pray.
May we give thanks to the custodians in our lives; not just in our hearts but let’s send a note or drop something off their way as an act of love to remind them what a valued member of our community they are. And may we also consider Big J’s wisdom, and that the path to a content life may not have to do with gaining more but in living with less and being thankful for what we have.
With love and hope,
Shawn
As it is, there are many parts, but one body. - 1 Corinthians 12:20