Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men……Colossians 3:23
I just have to brag on my best friend a little bit here. I known her for 24 years now and for as long as I have known her, she has put her heart and soul into every job, every task she undertakes. She doesn’t just “do a job” she changes the environment where she works for the better. She gets involved. Sometimes she has to pull back because she actually gets too involved in the lives of the people she works with and for. She gives herself away until it hurts. She refuses to stay on the sidelines.
She doesn’t just “do her job and go home.”
She confessed with tears glistening in her eyes just the other night that she doesn’t tell me everything about what she observes from the children she picks up, and what she hears. Some of it is heartbreaking, the things she sees. She takes their burdens as her own. She talks to the kids not at the kids. She doesn’t let them get by with disrespecting her, each other, or themselves.
And as you can see by this letter, they love her for it. And because they know she cares, they confide in her which is sometimes a mixed blessing.
Her co-workers know that all they have to do to find her is listen for the laughter that follows her wherever she goes. Finding the humor in any given situation is something many people do not know how to do and it is the one thing she has been able to do throughout her life, which has not always been easy.
Even one of the parents confessed, “I want you to know, you are the topic of many of our dinner conversations.” The kids tell their parents the lessons they have learned on Miss Elaine’s bus that day. She rewards good behavior and doesn’t overlook bad behavior, but more than that, she seeks to understand why they are acting up and she makes them think about what they are doing and why they are doing it.
And when Miss Elaine has to stop the bus, they know she means business. She is part counselor, part friend, part taskmaster, part teacher……and I have no doubt that she would put her own life on the line if it meant saving those kids.
It has been a hard two years for her, being a full-time caretaker for her Mom, and in many ways she says, “This job saved my life.”
And sometimes, at just the right time, God rewards your hard work and dedication and it pays off in a big way. Sometimes, you get assurance that you are doing it right.
****side note: she is fond of calling her kids her little brussel sprouts, maybe this little girl couldn’t remember that. I love how she picked another vegetable****
Lori's Prayer Closet 
What a gift she must be to the lives she touches.
Yes, she really is a gift. I am so blessed to have such a friend 🙂
Lori, This is so good. We can live out our high callings in the “simplest” places. We don’t have to be pastors or overseas missionaries or Women of Faith speakers or anything “big” at all. I really appreciated this, and I thank you for sharing it on the High Calling page. It fits our mission so well.
Lori, This is so good. We can live out our high callings in the “simplest” places. We don’t have to be pastors or overseas missionaries or Women of Faith speakers or anything “big” at all. I really appreciated this, and I thank you for sharing it on the High Calling page. It fits our mission so well.
Lori, this is an excellent example of the difference each of us can make in others life. We must always remember, the things we do, the things we say and how we do it can make an impact on others lives, either for good or bad. I am sure she does make a positive difference in these kids lives. God bless,
Ken
Thank you so much Ken…..yes, every little thing we do makes a difference, and sometimes a big difference in people’s lives. We never really know what someone is going through, or what burdens they might be carrying. That is why showing the love and light of Jesus is so important! Thank you for your comments….Lori
The above comment is from Ken at Following Jesus.
i really like this. I’m going to feature it over at the The high Callign soon. Stay tuned!
David…..thank you so much, I so appreciate this. I love the High Calling, and your blog is so restful…I will be back! Lori
Watch for this….link will be live next Tuesday!
http://www.thehighcalling.org/hcb-community/high-calling-school-bus-driver