Dirty Jobs

I had many dirty jobs in my life. I had good bosses, bad bosses, and drunken bosses.These experience taught me an important lesson about life.

When I met my wife, Liz, I was a shoe salesperson, which meant that I had to work with a lot of stinky feet, all day long. Sorry ladies, but I hated trying to squeeze a size 9 foot into a size 7 shoe. Next, I took a job at a gas station pumping gas. Yes, in the olden days, you would pull your car up to the pump and someone from the station would run out and pump the gas for you. . . rain or shine; hot or freezing weather. I worked for several gas stations. Then, my dad got me a job in a car factory. . . hard work.

One time while working at a gas station, my boss was an alcoholic. His wife would come up to the station and take care of things when he was drunk. She would balance the books, clean up, and lock the doors, often while he slept it off with his head resting on his desk. One night, I left the station with him in that position. Apparently, she decided not to come that night. I came back the next morning and his truck was running parked next to the building and he was still at his desk sound asleep. 

Dirty Jobs. . . Be Faithful

The lesson I learned from dirty jobs. . . be faithful over something. Good job or bad job, be faithful. Little or large, be faithful, big paycheck or small paycheck. Whatever we do, if we do it as unto the Lord, he will bless us. It is easy to get discouraged and see obstacles as impossible to overcome.

Faithfulness is a main theme throughout the Bible. King David is a great example. He was faithful to watch over his flock. Had he let his mind wander away from God as he was tending the sheep, he might not have been prepared for the role God planned for him. David chose instead to be faithful while being a shepherd, which prepared him for the role of king.

Moral Compass

Just after my son entered adulthood, we had an amazing conversation.  He was telling me about plans he had made for what he believed would be a fun weekend.  Of course, as the worried father, I reminded him of the potential dangers in his plans. He responded by telling me not to worry. “Mom is my moral compass. I always hear mom’s words in my head reminding me to do the right thing.” How reassuring that was for me. 

Do the right thing. Easy to say, difficult to do. Obviously, as parents we had done something right. I only wish that it could have been my voice in my son’s head. Yes, even with dirty jobs, excellence is the goal.

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! 

Matthew 25:21

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

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