Attitude

Today was my last day at work at LA Harbor Grain Terminal and I actually ended up working next door for a company called San Pedro Forklift. My job was fairly simple, all I needed to do was sweep out the trucks of those who had just had hay unloaded onto the dock. Now to be clear, these drivers normally have to do this on their own because San Pedro does not normally supply someone to assist with cleaning and therefore having someone there is like a gift to these guys. Cleaning the truck can be a tedious task because some companies require that the truck pretty much be "spotless" before a different type of product can be loaded into the container. Anyway, it would take 15-20 minutes to sweep out a truck thoroughly by myself and if the driver helped (which they are supposed to) it would only take about 10 minutes and half the effort. I found that unless I asked them to help, the drivers would simply stand around and watch as I did their job for them. At any time, I could have walked off and found something else to do while they had to clean their own trucks. At first I was annoyed by them standing around and then not even tipping me at the end! others would help and still give me a small tip just for helping and I was gracious for that. I started to get furious when people would not tip (mostly those who did not help) then I just about lost it when two drivers in a row did not even get out of the driver seat and just waited for me to wave them off. No thank you or anything! I decided after this though that if I kept this mindset, I would probably not get any tips the rest of the day and I would just have to go through the day doing a free service and not complaining because I needed to do this to learn a lesson and to just be content with what I had. All in all, I made 20 dollars in tips throughout the day (about 12 trucks) and I was happy with just sweeping out the truck and moving on because it was nice to just help out.

Paul writes to the church in Philipi and he states in Philipians 4:11-12, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." What powerful words from Paul. Everyday, we ask God for more and more and some of us hardly give anything in return. We think it is God's job to bless us because it is just what he does. Question is will we praise him regardless of the outcome or will we get frustrated and let our emotions get the best of us? I know I complain about not getting things sometimes or I wish I had more but I need to realize that he will provide what is needed for me and that should be enough. There is no catch, there is no fine print. God is very straightforward and he will do what he has promised and I need to trust that he will take care of me and let my faith take ahold. Sometimes it is better to just volunteer and give some time for those who are not used to having things done for them. My good spirit might have encouraged some people today and shown them that people are willing to do something regardless of what they receive in return. I told many drivers that I did not charge and tips were not necessary, but they insisted on giving me money and it is not very polite to refuse a gift (pretty much telling them they need it more than you do). We can control how we do things but the outcome is usually out of our hands and welcoming the outcome is the only way to be truly happy because we know that God will provide everything that we need. I am glad I experienced this today and I hope that everyone has to deal with this at some point because it is a very humbling experience. 

Well, I head back to Phoenix tomorrow and I hope that I have a safe trip and that I get to spend some good time with my friends and family while I am there. I hope you all had an amazing day and TGTIF.

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson