A FRIEND at work is having difficulty with an ex-boyfriend. He happens to be the father of her child. As a father, he’s pretty much dead. He’s selfishly absent most of the time and, when he’s “there,” he’s childishly inconsistent. It’s all about him, and never about his young son. And it’s been like this for almost five years. It’s hurting the little boy, and it’s making a wreck out of my friend. She carries this baggage to work every day.
I tell her: she must endure, and God is there to help. Her son will see the character her endurance produces. He will grow up seeing hope for a future through his mama. And hope for a future will mean less baggage going to work. Her son’s father may never awake. But through prayer – on Peter’s knees – she will be the one to get up like Tabitha.
Bringing baggage to the workplace is not unique to my friend. And, once there, that baggage infects the workplace as much as it infects the home. Frankly, there is no short-cut remedy. Employee assistance programs are usually available, but there has to be something more. Christ has to be central because this kind of baggage hurts the spirit and heart as much as it hurts the mind and body.
Today at work, someone is carrying heavy baggage. The baggage may be from home or somewhere else. Pray for that coworker. Pray for endurance that will produce character that will produce hope. Pray that God will help your coworker get up like Tabitha.
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer – especially at work – especially on Peter’s knees.
Reading:
Romans 5:4 (NIV) And endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
Acts 9:40 (NIV) Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
Prayer:
Father God, I know You listen when I pray in Your Son’s name. I am doing so right now. Help me use the power of prayer today. Help me use it to bring endurance, character, and hope to someone at work who needs You more than anyone. You are the Way for a world that is dead. You are the Remedy for a workplace that cannot awake. And so I turn to You, Father, and only to You. In Your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.
Author: Erica Everette, USA.
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