“He [God] rolled up his sleeves, he set things right.” Psalm 98.2
We met for the first time yesterday. It is true that she came to work for me almost six months ago. She is in the box of wanting to sit down and talk with but never having the time to introduce yourself. There are many reasons, but now they all seem like excuses.
Our conversation started as most manager employee conversations start. Slightly contrived and forced, and on safe territory. What followed reminds me of two things: why I enjoy being a manager, and what bothers me most about my life right now.
She is on a team facing pressures at every corner. Deadlines go unmet every day, the pressure to resolve back logs continues without relief, and it looks like management spends most of their day talking!
We talked.
“How is life different from when you lived in Zurich? Do you see light at the end of this tunnel? What bothers you most about your job? What would you like most to do that you are not doing?”
Life was not that different from Zurich during the high pressure, high volumes season around New Years and Christmas; it just did not end here. Switzerland was not always efficient, she frequently had to walk to work because the crews did not clear the snow in time for her bus to run. Nobody seems to listen to our ideas on how to solve the problems. “Just once I would like to sit in one of those meeting to talk, drink coffee, and have a cookie.”
I shared my frustration and problems of the mornings. I told her of my worries and the battle I fought in the meeting. I expressed my confidence in her and the team. I wondered aloud how I could listen better.
I find my frustration with God similar. I am so sure he is not listening that I do not actually stop to listen. Amazing things happen when I do. He has his sleeves rolled up, working for you and me!
