Finding Sacredness in the Workplace…
Sue’s Note: Today, I am sharing another of Lucy’s guest posts. If you read my Monday post, you may recall I spoke of the “sacred or holy ground,” which I sensed as family gathered around the deathbed of our beloved family member. Today, Lucy speaks of the unlikely sacred ground found in the workplace. Thank you so much, Lucy, for these lovely insights into finding sacredness in life’s ordinary—often tedious—moments.
In the wilderness of marketplace work,
I often find myself
in a confessional
(of sorts).
Whether I am at my workstation,
in the breakroom or
sitting on the smoker’s bench outside-
I inadvertently enter,
what some Catholics call
the dark box.
A space where life is spilled
and reconciled.
In a brief space of time,
a simple “How are you?”
to a customer, client, or coworker
releases a latch.
I’m suddenly in another’s
secret place.
I hear heart stories.
Divorce.
Widowhood.
Wayward Kids.
Addiction.
Terminal Illness.
Death.
Sacred Ground.
I cry silently to God,
How do I respond?
Give me the words of my mouth!
Help me to listen to You
as I listen to them!
I hear a calming,
“Shush, child.
You are on Sacred Ground.
Just listen.”
This is sometimes followed by a script.
“That is so hard.”
“I am so sorry that happened to you.”
Sometimes, I say,
“No judgment here!”
when they reveal their vice.
Levelling the playing field,
I may share vices of my own.
Human connection.
Validation.
I see you.
I hear you.
You matter.
A message from God
in a mess of brokenness.
As this continues to happen,
I think about my morning appointment with God,
Hmmm…
I better keep showing up.
That time helps me remain connected with Him throughout my day.
After all,
They don’t need more of me.
They desperately need Him.
Lord,
Help me to be your representative in this space. I am not here by accident.
I am strategically placed
to be Your agent of hope.
Hope in You.
As I envision myself being covered
in the goo of their emitted life stories,
I quickly look to You for guidance.
I realize
it is a privilege to be
admitted to this place.
With You, it is Sacred Ground.
Help me to step lightly with You.
Amen
