I commit to pray for, and criticize less, all workers in the essential services.
This might be my toughest step yet.
The essential services in most countries include services and personnel who work to provide us with, Utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity, Telephone), Medical Services, Security Forces, Ports & Public Transportation, Fire/ Emergency and Disaster Relief Services.
These are necessities that keep a nation going around the clock. We cannot lead a ‘normal’ life without them and that’s why we call them ‘essential’. The workers in these areas are generally under tremendous stress from demanding jobs.
They are usually up while we are asleep and we leave our welfare in their hands. Very often, they lay their lives on the line for us. Even if we argue that they are being paid to do it, there are those who volunteer to risk life and limb to protect us and even save our lives. Jesus demonstrated this self-sacrifice for us.
But we usually spend time only on the bad things they sometimes do. We usually let them know none too gently when they mess up. We hardly ever affirm them when they do something right. (Aw come on, it’s not all that bad.)
But I know, they are the ones we love to hate. We curse them out everyday. I confess, Utility company staff in particular gets me on my wrong-side sometimes. Ok a lot. Well almost everyday. Alright….seriously, does anyone bother to train staff anymore?
Aahem, sorry. Back to the affirmation.
After a while, the criticisms, curses, negative statements and abuse we heap on these workers demoralizes them. The fact is we curse out the first face of the company or organization we see while we are largely silent and complacent in demanding more from those who head the organizations, government officials and heads of government responsible for the ministries they fall under.
Recently, in Jamaica many rejoiced that finally a politician gets sent to jail. It’s been a long time coming. Nonetheless, It is sad that Kern Spencer, a young ‘my generation’ politician has to be one of the first to be jailed in such a long time in Jamaica. Will there be others?
It is true corruption exists in all spheres of society. But for every corrupt cop, politician, doctor, and utility service provider there is a happy customer who is satisfied that they found the shortcut in ‘the system’. Corruption is what happens when demand for favours meets greed. Not all workers are like this, but unfortunately we curse all because it is not easy to find the few bad eggs.
Then we sit by resignedly while Utility companies make a killing off of us, yet do nothing to conserve so that they get less money from us.So let us take some of the blame on ourselves for letting so many things slide without using our power to change a lot of what we allow to happen to us. Instead of using power for selfish means, let us collaborate to insist on change.
Other positive things we can do, while we insist on fair treatment, helpful customer service, and better environmental practices (where applicable) we can:
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support the essential services by volunteering to help where possible such as with rescue workers (if that is allowed in your country)
- donate to fund-raising events put on by your local fire or police department,
- organize letters of petition and send to companies and form community based pressure groups to agitate for better practices in these organizations.
Be sure to leave your suggestions of actions you think we can take.
Practicing patience,
Marvia
An Update
I promised a reader who commented elsewhere to make this clarification.
Kern Spencer, the young Jamaica politician mentioned in this post was arrested and charged, but is out on bail. At the time of writing he had not yet gone to court for trial.
The point I wanted to make though, is that he is the first in a long time to have been charged and spent anytime at all in jail (with or without trial).
I hope that clears up any confusion. And O, I hope all is well now:-)
Marvia