Monday, November 29, 2010
Thank You Keepers of the Springs
“Keeper of the Spring” is a story made famous by Peter Marshall, who was Chaplain of the US Senate in the early 1900s. The story (online at joyfulministry.com/springt.htm) tells about a man who simply kept the headwaters of a river clean until he was fired. It did not take long for the town below to feel the effects of that one man’s absence. This tale skillfully underscores the importance of those people among us who take care of the “little” things in life. It reminds us that so many pleasant and beautiful things in life would not be possible if it weren’t for the constant care of people who are making sure their little part of the world is working properly.
The reality of this concept was powerfully demonstrated in 1968 when the garbage men went on strike in New York City. One article read as follows: “For New York City's 8,000,000 adversity-tempered citizens, the sanitation workers' strike was merely a nuisance at first. By the end of last week, it had turned into a genuine crisis. Nearly 100,000 tons of uncollected garbage lay in noisome heaps on sidewalks and in doorways. Trash fires flared all over town. Rats rummaged through pyramidal piles of refuse. Public-health authorities, warning of the danger of typhoid and other diseases, proclaimed the city's first general health emergency since a 1931 polio epidemic.” (time.com)
During this Thanksgiving season we would do well to express our appreciation for the many people in our lives that take care of the “little things” that would become such a big deal to us if they were not being done on a daily basis. Below is a suggestive list of important “keepers of the spring” who may not often be thanked for the work they do:
Nurses, truck rivers, secretaries, bus drivers, teachers, dish washers, waitresses, emergency personnel, press operators, rubbish disposal crews, road crews, officers, town employees….
Believe you me, the guy or gal that runs the power plant or controls water levels at the dam or keeps the traffic lights in working order would be sorely missed if they went missing for any length of time.
Then there’s the volunteers and family members that truly enrich our lives: scout leaders, hospital volunteers, teachers, support group leaders, parents, care takers, people who pick up litter, inspirational speakers, community project volunteers… Please don’t underestimate the value of what others do for you -- or of what you do for others. Those little blessing make a big impact!
Not only are these seemingly small tasks important, but one’s faithfulness in the “small” responsibilities qualifies them to be increasingly effective in life. St. Luke said it like this: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10 NLT)
I cannot imagine the chaos of our lives without the “keepers of the springs” who are mentioned above. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, consider thanking somebody who blesses your life on a regular basis. Your words of encouragement will make their life more full and meaningful even as they remind you of how they are blessing your life in some small way.
The reality of this concept was powerfully demonstrated in 1968 when the garbage men went on strike in New York City. One article read as follows: “For New York City's 8,000,000 adversity-tempered citizens, the sanitation workers' strike was merely a nuisance at first. By the end of last week, it had turned into a genuine crisis. Nearly 100,000 tons of uncollected garbage lay in noisome heaps on sidewalks and in doorways. Trash fires flared all over town. Rats rummaged through pyramidal piles of refuse. Public-health authorities, warning of the danger of typhoid and other diseases, proclaimed the city's first general health emergency since a 1931 polio epidemic.” (time.com)
During this Thanksgiving season we would do well to express our appreciation for the many people in our lives that take care of the “little things” that would become such a big deal to us if they were not being done on a daily basis. Below is a suggestive list of important “keepers of the spring” who may not often be thanked for the work they do:
Nurses, truck rivers, secretaries, bus drivers, teachers, dish washers, waitresses, emergency personnel, press operators, rubbish disposal crews, road crews, officers, town employees….
Believe you me, the guy or gal that runs the power plant or controls water levels at the dam or keeps the traffic lights in working order would be sorely missed if they went missing for any length of time.
Then there’s the volunteers and family members that truly enrich our lives: scout leaders, hospital volunteers, teachers, support group leaders, parents, care takers, people who pick up litter, inspirational speakers, community project volunteers… Please don’t underestimate the value of what others do for you -- or of what you do for others. Those little blessing make a big impact!
Not only are these seemingly small tasks important, but one’s faithfulness in the “small” responsibilities qualifies them to be increasingly effective in life. St. Luke said it like this: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10 NLT)
I cannot imagine the chaos of our lives without the “keepers of the springs” who are mentioned above. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, consider thanking somebody who blesses your life on a regular basis. Your words of encouragement will make their life more full and meaningful even as they remind you of how they are blessing your life in some small way.
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