I’m bored with my job. Oh. It may not show at work, but I stare at the computer and wish I didn’t have to be there. I don’t always have enough work to do, which makes the matter worse. I’m not interested in the work. It’s numbers, after all. I’m more into words. But I sit there entering numbers and paying my employer’s bills. I work in Accounting, and an accountant I am not. I always wonder if I will be found out. So far, no. But it’s a part-time job that I took when I retired from full-time work a couple of years ago. So I guess I could quit at anytime if I wanted. I’m seriously considering it.
Now that I’ve been in the job for a while, I have a clearer picture of the company I work for. By the way. I’m not an employee of the company. I’m actually an employee of a staffing agency. The company where I do my work has never offered me a permanent position. At first, it was indicated that would happen. And I kept waiting for that day. But now. Now I’m glad that offer was never made. I’m free to go when I want without any repercussions on my part. But I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t just walk away without giving a notice. It’s just not in my nature. Unless, that is, I was expected to do something immoral, unethical or illegal. That would be an entirely different situation.
I’ve noticed in this company that not everyone is fully honest. Oh. They make sure that the company is abiding by all appropriate laws and regulations. They don’t want to put the company at risk. Nothing underhanded is happening. But there is one who has a position of some authority who will tell their small white lies. If small white lies are really a thing. But this individual tells them when it suits their situation. And this individual confesses the lies to me that they’ve pushed onto others. It’s not like they’re hiding their thoughts or plans from everyone. Their lies are an underhanded way to get their way. Perhaps they think others don’t notice. Perhaps they think I don’t notice. I do. And this individual will underhandedly treat people they don’t favor a little more harshly than they treat others. I could be the only one who notices and knows these things because of my position. But it happens. And it bothers me.
Another individual complained about someone else at work. His words, which I fully agreed with, could have been the start of a gripe session between the two of us if I had taken the bait. I didn’t. I just listened to his words and got away from the conversation as quickly as I could. I want no part of badmouthing anyone I work with. Because ears may be listening. Tongues may start wagging. And I don’t want to be on the receiving end of a difficult conversation. It’s just not worth it. And besides. Gossip is evil.
One individual recently had major surgery. In their preparations for being out of the office, it became obvious that they didn’t want to let go of their responsibilities. Oh. It’s good that they take their work seriously. But they were holding on just a bit too tightly. This person is past the age of retirement but has no immediate plans to stop working. They work more hours than anyone else at the company. And they just can’t let go of anything. In other words. The person is a control freak. It’s become more noticeable to me over the past few months as they prepared for their surgery. And to be honest. Their controlling nature has become the bane of my existence at a place where I don’t have to be.
Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. Proverbs 18:15
This person doesn’t want to bring the company into the current century as far as adopting new procedures. The old ways are very comfortable and they’ve voiced their thoughts that change will have to wait until they’re no longer around. Meanwhile, the company is suffering from antiquity. The problem seems invisible to most, because there are several others there who are in the same age group. I’ve realized that when this person is no longer employed, the one who replaces them will come in and make sweeping changes. This will be very uncomfortable for most everyone. Some will fight it. Others will leave. And a few may be relieved. I don’t plan to be around at that point.
I’ve realized that this individual’s unwillingness to make changes could slowly and silently send the company into a death spiral. Not necessarily financially or in any obvious way, but change needs to happen regardless of one’s opinions or comfort level. A company can’t wait to make multiple large changes at one time just to keep the old guard satisfied. When leaders resist change, it’s time to change leaders.
One of my responsibilities is to post a listing of all the birthday and anniversaries each month for everyone to see. As I was working on the flyer for the upcoming month, I noted that one individual has been with the company for over twenty years and another for over thirty years. There’s nothing wrong with longevity at a first glance, but longevity breeds complacency. These two individuals are resistant to change. And they’ve lost the drive to work hard. They just show up to collect a handsome paycheck. And it shows in their work ethic.
Why am I documenting all this on this page? I’ve realized that it’s easy to become complacent and comfortable with our lives. We all need change at times. We become stagnant, unfulfilled and boring if we live the same life we’ve lived all our lives. We need to continually challenge our minds by reading well. We need to continually move our bodies in order to be able to move them as we age. We need to continually grow in our faith or it will stagnate and die. We weren’t meant to sit idle all day and do nothing. We weren’t made to live thoughtless lives.
In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon says there is a time for everything under the sun. Change is one of those things that we must be willing to make. Whether we like it or not, change can be good for us. Oh. It’s always better if we’re the instigator of the change. If change is our plan, then we’re fully onboard. If it’s someone else’s idea, then forget it. That’s what we say. Sometimes change happens when we least expect it and we have no say in the matter. We have to go with the flow, because there’s no choice. Life is tough.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
I know of someone who recently learned that he will be losing his job. He’s been with the same company for many years. He is paralyzed with fear. He doesn’t know what to do. To make matters worse, he’s close to retirement but not close enough. Relocation is a possible option, but that would mean uprooting his entire life. What if his family isn’t onboard with that? But what if moving is his only option other than the unemployment line? The man has some uncomfortable decisions to make in the near future, and I hope he gets wise counsel.
Oh. Unemployment isn’t fun. I know. I’ve stood in that line three times. But each time I was involuntarily placed in that waiting season wondering if I would ever be employed again, I learned not to take so much for granted. New jobs can be found at most any age. New habits and patterns can be formed. New skills can be learned. New friendships can be formed. Life can be good again. It’s just that, instead of placing our trust in God, we place our reliance on that thing called a paycheck. It is necessary, of course. We were made to work. But God is in the business of providing, and we must lean into his goodness and timing.
My intent is not to complain. I realize life is good. I also realize that life is unsteady and weaves through unpredictable cycles. Our strength and trust in God is learned through the tests and trials that come our way. If we only stay in the lane we’ve always been in, we may not be as prepared for the waves of unpredictability as we would be if we allowed the changes of life to shape our faith.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
Mercy for the Day 