Friday, November 11, 2011

They Make You Do That?

One of the factors in my decision to step down from my job at Christ Community is a change that happened this summer in my other job as Resident Manager at our apartment complex. When I first started with Dana Mann, the job was completely overwhelming. There were so many vacancies it was ridiculous and every apartment we turned over was a mess. Both boys were home full time that summer and it was a really difficult adjustment back to work even though I was working from home.

In order to keep up with the demands, Dana gave me permission to have our hired laborer help with cleaning and general labor around the buildings. Once our apartments were full the job really became so much more manageable, especially since the boys were in school. So when I was offered a part time job at church I felt that it could work with my schedule. I knew summer would be a challenge because that's when apartments turn over and the boys are home, but during the school year it was a perfect fit.

Well, after 3 years of having extra help, our company decided to let our laborer go. This really pained me for many different reasons. First of all, I really liked him a great deal as a person. I had even taken gifts to a family member of his when I traveled to Peru last year. He was a really nice person and a hard worker. The other reason was that I knew he would not be replaced and that the many hours of help he helped me each week would now fall on my shoulders since those duties were in fact part of my job description. Sigh.

So now I am doing those things myself that were so easy to delegate...cleaning hallways, entryways, laundry rooms & apartments. I'm happy to do it since it is my job, but let me tell you I see now that having help was one of those many graces I was talking about in my earlier post. I never could have done both without it. This fall as I was trying to get used to the change I really felt that I could not do both responsibilities well and that one needed to go.

There was a part of me that wanted to consider taking on more hours in ministry and abandoning my apartment manager gig. Roy had to stay home sick one day and that cured me of that. I truly love being at home and we are not at a stage yet where I am not needed at home. So though I don't bound out of bed every morning to joyfully pick up after people, I know that my life is not that hard and I am thankful to have a choice about where to work.

One of our residents saw me vacuuming the hallways the other day and with surprise in his voice he said, "They make YOU do that?"

I replied, "Well, no one makes me do anything. They hired me with the understanding that I would do it. They gave me grace for a few years by hiring extra help, but this is my job and it's not that hard so I'm happy to do it."

He answered, "Oh, well I'll be careful not to litter now that I know you are the one who does it."

I thanked him, although I really wanted to lecture him about not littering no matter who is responsible for cleaning hallways. That's a whole different issue. Bo told me not to get started on that one since he probably just didn't think about what he was saying. Deep breath. Letting it go.

One thing I can see now is that I have a completely different attitude about work than when I first started. I really did have a hard time with the idea of doing menial work and picking up after people. I was kind of mad about it actually and I did feel that it was beneath me. It's true, I am a spoiled ivy-league brat. I would compare myself to my peers who were executive VPs of lahdeedahdeedah whatever and I felt like a loser picking up cigarette butts and scrubbing ovens. I'm probably not over it completely, however, the joy I experiencing in serving my neighbors and doing whatever needs to be done to make this place "a diamond in the rough," as one resident called it, is exactly what I needed to experience.

And I remember that no one makes me do this. It is a privilege to be home with my kids and to be surrounded by people who really need to be loved and served in a way that is different than what the rest of the world offers. I am an imperfect servant to be sure, but I am working on it.

1 comment:

Turtles R Us said...

Love you Sarah! Thank you for your honesty and willingness to tell the truth. That's what I appreciate about you. I know how you feel! :) You want to come help me paint?