A
ten-year employee of my local Kroger grocery store, I am one of the
lucky ones in life who loves her job. But who also doesn't love a
break in the work schedule and the gift of some unexpected free time?
When my doctor told me initially to expect to be off for six to eight
weeks following surgery, my eyes popped at the thought of all I might
accomplish in that time period. The need for additional surgery
extended my sick leave, and to date it's been three months and more
since I last clocked in for a shift.
Through
it all, Kroger has been terrific to me. Processing paperwork to
arrange for a leave of absence from work and to set up short-term
disability payments was surprisingly simple; a few phone calls and
the matter was done. Paychecks came in the mail, my medical insurance
started paying my bills, and my boss and coworkers checked in with me
regularly to see how I was doing and to offer their support. When my
manager assured me that they would hold my job for me despite the
delays to my return-to-work date, I was able to focus on recovery and
leave the worry over my employment status behind.
While I
have enjoyed the time off immensely, increasingly in recent weeks I
have felt that I really need to get back to work. Three forces
pushing me in that direction are gratitude, a sense of
indebtedness, and the simple enjoyment of the job itself. This
surprising encounter with the medical profession has really caused me
to appreciate how much the company offers in the way of help and
assistance in a time of need. I hadn't realized how good our benefits
package was until I had occasion to use it. Besides the very real
need to cover the insurance premiums I missed while on disability, I
am anxious to get back and offer my best in return for the company's
giving me theirs. And I have sorely missed the camaraderie of my
coworkers and the kindness of the customers I serve on a daily basis
while I've been away. It's simply time to go back.
There
have likewise been times through the years when I've been sidelined
in my service to God and the spiritual community for various reasons.
A difficult situation in one church required a period of rest and
healing before investing again in another. A move to a new house of
worship necessitated the establishment of new contacts with pastors
and church leaders before ministry opportunities could open up. And
there have been simple “times of refreshing” as described in the
Bible where I just needed to take a break and be ministered to myself
so I would have something to offer to somebody else.
The same
three forces have always propelled me back into the spiritual work
force, however. Overwhelming gratitude to God for all He has done for
me through the years is chief among those. He has come through for me
in ways I couldn't have imagined before coming to know Him, and daily
I grow in gratitude for His kindness and compassion. I am also very
aware, however, that my life is no longer my own. I now willingly
serve the One who paid the price for my salvation and all the
resultant joy of that experience. And frankly, there is no greater
joy than discovering and operating in my God-given-gifts to those I meet on
a daily basis; working for God is simply great fun.
Later
this morning I go to the doctor, and today I expect him to finally
sign the paper releasing me to go back to work. Now physically as
well as spiritually, I'm ready to buckle down and get back on the
job.
“...aspire to lead a
quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own
hands...”
(1 Thessalonians 4:11
NKJV)
Everyone benefits from a sabbatical from time to time--sounds like you've made good work with yours, even if its imposition was not at your timing! Enjoy the return to your Kroger family!
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