I didn’t always know, and it took me a while to finally grasp what truly matters to God. Therefore, I’d like to share a true story with you. I had mentioned in a previous post a testimony when my mother was missing for a period of five days. And during that time, I had to work almost every day at an assisted living facility. There was a lot of tension and contention at that workplace. Each time I went to work, I had to really try my best to keep it together especially since no one knew what I was going through in my personal life. Two coworkers were known at the facility for the kind of energy they brought to the workplace. There was the hiding co-worker, who was always nowhere to be found for her assignments and when she finally showed up, she pretended she had been working harder than everybody else. Then there was the reporting co-worker, who would report anything to the supervisor. So, let’s say someone happened to sneeze, then that person would get reported to the supervisor; I’m sure you know what I mean. Therefore, whoever has assignments with these two co-workers, knows what to expect during the shift, which in my case was almost every day. Although both behaviors were draining, I was more willing to tolerate the reporting co-worker than the hiding one. I was already mentally drained, so I did not want to do all the work with little to no assistance, which was often the case unfortunately.
During prayer, I would talk to God about my frustration at work, especially with the co-worker who doesn’t want to lift a finger when she comes to work. To my great surprise, God didn’t see both behaviors like I did. God revealed to me that the lazy co-worker was dealing with depression and the other one who seemed helpful was very jealous and envious. I must admit that both case scenarios looked completely different on the outside, but God was right on target, and everything was confirmed. I remember using the walkie-talkie to ask for assistance with a resident and to my great surprise, the hiding co-worker showed up. I remember thinking to myself that I would not get much help from her and God corrected me right away and told me to give her a try. So, I felt the urge to just crack a joke with her and I will never forget this young lady just busted out laughing and told me that this joke had made her day. She told me that she is so overwhelmed with life and on the verge of losing her mind. It was then I understood why she was constantly exhibiting erratic behaviors. So, I encouraged her, and I was surprised at how helpful she was to me that day. I repented and realized that God was also dealing with me with my wrong assumptions about her. I also realized that we were more alike than we were different. For example, I wanted to be left alone as well to the point where I did not even want to go to work because of what I was going through. Therefore, I realized that she was dealing with things that I had no idea she was struggling with.
On the other hand, the reporting co-worker’s behavior was much more detrimental in God’s eyes. She was such a beautiful young lady with a lovely smile and gorgeous blue eyes. She appeared to be helpful on the outside, but she was secretly seeking people’s downfall on the job because she was envious. She allowed herself to be influenced and refused to change her course. I noticed that no matter how promoted she was, she was never satisfied. She loved to create commotion and tension among co-workers, and even caused two supervisors to lose their jobs.
The truth is we all have dealt with jealousy and probably other sins and ungodly behaviors. And I have realized that God is fully aware of our sinful nature. However, God wants His children to be willing to change. He doesn’t want us to normalize sin and ungodly behaviors. What I find fascinating about God is that He will give us the strength if we are willing or determined to stop. In other words, the decision to stop is on us but the strength to stop is on Him. I believe when Jesus said without Him, we cannot do anything, that also means it is He who gives the strength to resist and overcome sin.
So going back to the story and making a long story short, while I worked there, I’ve seen so many caregivers who got hired and quit two weeks or a month later because the work environment was too toxic. They were always recruiting caregivers and begging for referrals but never willing to address the main issues. Though I didn’t want to share the rest of the story, I cannot cut short what I have witnessed. So, two years later back in 2019, during a winter season, I was home when I received a text message from the work chat group stating that the reporting co-worker was killed in a car crash; I was in denial about her death until I saw it in the news. The police said for reasons unexplained, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree and utility pole. The news deeply hurt me because she was in her mid-30s, left her husband with two little kids, and they had just bought a home. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it and I lamented for months even after I stopped working there. The thought of knowing that she is no longer with us is just too painful.
Even though I don’t have all the details and cannot even explain what really happened, what I have learned from all of this is that life is short, and I have also learned that God loves us, He wants the best for us and wants to protect us from the traps of the enemy. He is more concerned about our hearts and wants us to be vigilant when it comes to our hearts. The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” God wants us to be heart healthy daily. “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” Proverbs 4:23. I have realized that there are only two forces (good or evil), two choices (wrong or right), two directions (left or right), two roads (the one that leads to death or the other that leads to life) and in Deuteronomy 30:19, God recommends that we choose life. So, we are choosing life in Jesus mighty name.
Father, I thank you that whoever is reading this, you have given him or her the strength to choose life in Jesus daily because He died so we may live. We recognize that it is not by might nor by power but by Your Spirit in Jesus Name. Amen! I love you and more importantly, know that God loves you even more!
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