the church fairy

I have worked at 3 churches- 2 big ones and now I work at a smaller one. 

I have discovered that the church fairy doesn't work at the small church.

when I worked at the big church, I would find myself in situations like this:

• a bunch of boxes came in- now that they are empty, what should I do with them? I'll just leave them in the hallway- the church fairy will clean them for me. 

• one of the chairs is broken- what should I do? I'll put it in the hallway with a sign on it that says "BROKEN." the church fairy will find it, and fix it, and return it- its like magic!

• after the baptism service, there are a bunch of wet towels and robes- who will wash, them, dry them, fold them, and store them? the church fairy. every time. like clock work.

• the trash can in my office is all full. but don't worry- the church fairy will empty it.

• the 4th grade class spilled glitter EVERYWHERE. sorry church fairy!

• I had a big meeting that required chairs and tables to be set up. when its all over I think to myself, "should I put these away? nah. church fairy's got it."

then I started working at the small church. at first I thought that their church fairy was a little slow. it took me awhile to figure it out, but now I realize- 

the church fairy is me. 

when I make a mess, I'm the one who cleans it up.
I was spoiled by the church fairy!

of course there isn't a real church fairy- it was always a dedicated team of custodians, maintenance workers and admin staff. I should have thanked them more!

if you work at a place that has workers like that, appreciate them! their work is invisible in the moment, but when its not there, you realize how much you took it for granted.

and while you're at it, go ahead and appreciate everyone else who helps you too.

God is love.
rev-rob