Brokenness

Although my job as a dish washer and pot and pan cleaner is about to come to an end (Saturday is my last day) I am thankful to have had such a job...

For in the time I was assigned to the prison's kitchen, I showed both the facility's administrative staff and the correction officers that I could be trusted. To even get a job in the kitchen requires a special security clearance. Actually, every candidate for the kitchen must be personally approved by the Deputy Superintendent for Security. And I did my job. I worked hard. I received the grade of "Excellent" in every category that's listed in my last quarterly performance evaluation. I also got along well with both the guards, the civilian staff, and my peers.

Most of all, the Lord has been teaching me about brokenness. Being a dish washer is a 16 cents per hour position - my starting pay. However, after three months I advanced to 22 cents. Very humbling! I think the average laborer working in the early 1920s made about the same pay. Nevertheless, it was a personal challenge to be a "pastor at the pots."

Because I am an elder in the prison's church, this was an opportunity to show my brothers that I will gladly take the lowest of jobs and do my required tasks without complaining. I was able to get dirty and sweaty because I saw myself as working for the Lord, and not for men. So I hope my witness for Jesus was a good one.

D.B.