When we think of heroes, our minds naturally go to people like the first responders and the doctors and nurses who daily risk their own health while taking care of the victims of this pandemic. Truly these people are heroes and we should be thankful we have them.
However, as grateful as we are for these wonderful people, there is another group, the unsung heroes behind the scenes. I’m speaking of the custodial workers, maintenance workers and so many other supportive staff who keep our medical systems running smoothly. Without their efforts it would be impossible for the doctors and nurses to do their jobs.
My brother-in-law, Danny, and his friend Maria Garcia, are two such heroes. Daily Danny and Maria, like thousands of similar workers all over the nation, do the dirty, but very necessary jobs the news rarely talks about.
Scrubbing floors, disinfecting counters, and doing “terminal cleaning” after an exam room has been contaminated by a potentially infectious patient, these unsung heroes make a huge difference, many times at risk to themselves. Yet, somehow they manage to do these thankless jobs with a cheery smile and a positive attitude, helping the rest of us deal with the stresses that are a natural part of medicine in this time of crisis.
James 1:9 says, “Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.” Cleaning exam rooms and scrubbing floors may not be the most glamorous jobs, but that doesn’t make them any less important.
I’m so proud to have a brother-in-law like Danny and a friend like Maria, who, no matter what they are doing, “work at it with all [their] heart, as working for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23 NIV).
Today let’s honor the unsung heroes like Danny and Maria and, if you get a chance, be sure to thank them for all they do. James tells us they have a “high position” in God’s eyes and don’t forget – without them we’d really be in a mess!