“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Abraham Lincoln
Our youngest son washes dishes at an upscale restaurant in the city where he lives. The other night we took him out to dinner and I asked him, “How’s your dishwashing job going?” You could’ve heard a pin drop. “Dad, it’s not just dishwashing. I’m the executive director of cleanliness and order!”
He went on for the next five minutes about how every type of squeaky clean dish and utensil has its proper place. This way the line cooks and servers always know where to find things. “Proper dishwashing is an art,” said our son Clark, with an unmistakable passion in his voice. “You have to LIKE the dishes.”
His older brother later told me that the head chef raves about how passionately Clark approaches his craft. Apparently everyone knows better than to mess with the flow in his dish pit. “Dude, haven’t you ever played the video game Tetris?!” our son says to the “non-executive” back-up dishwasher.
Such passion for a job many consider a no-brainer is inspiring. It reminds me of Paul’s words to the Colossians:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” — Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
In my Christian service, I sometimes feel like I’m stuck back in the dish pit, doing the same monotonous job over and over. I long to be an “out front” leader, like the apostle Peter, but keep finding myself in the background, like his brother, Andrew.
Does anyone even know I’m back here?
Your job (or mine) in God’s “kitchen” may not be high-profile or glamorous, but somebody’s gotta do the “dishes”. And a good dish washer is like the drummer in a band, says Clark. “As long as he plays, pretty much nobody notices. But watch what happens to the music if he stops.”
Kind reader, whatever the Lord has given you to do, please continue to serve in HIS strength with ALL your heart, mind and soul. And I will do the same.
Your Work in God’s Kingdom Matters!
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” – Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
37 responses to “Master of His Craft”
You’re welcome, Bette. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Wonderful! Thanks for sharing…
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Thanks, Crystal! I am one proud pops.
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Way to go, Clark! I love this story, David.
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I love his wisdom. He was truly a self-made made, but recognized his need for others. Thanks, Chris!
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I have that Lincoln quote on a post-it on my computer monitor 🙂
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Great, Pete! Thank you. I’ll get back to my dishes as well. Blessings.
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Love the story and the comments about the drummer. In our small worship team I used to call our drummer the boss. He wasn’t the worship leader but his rhythm is what drove our music and held us all together. Great encouragement – now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to get back to the dishes!
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He has an amazing attitude to work. Thank you for this reminder🙏
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I am extremely proud of Clark and his amazing work ethic. He is also learning other jobs in the kitchen, like prepping salads and desserts. Who knows, he may be running his own restaurant some day!
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Thank you. It gave me joy to listen as Clark detailed (with enthusiasm) the finer points of being an excellent dish washer. God Bless!
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Yes, “as unto the Lord!” Thank you, Manette.
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What a great analogy provided as the foundation of this post. May we all be inspired to take what is before us each day and work it with the same attitude your son does at his job… as unto the Lord.
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David, I am so glad your son has that enthusiasm for his job. He is blessed to give the job so much value. He doesn’t look at it as an “entry-level job”, but as a position to take pride in and do the best he can. It gave me joy just to read about his joy!
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Your son sounds simply precious. It is difficult to find passionate people anymore. And I love the verses which refer to doing things unto the Lord… especially while nobody is watching, because He is. Blessings and honor, Christine
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Amen, Bridget. Thank you.
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I think many feel overlooked at times, no matter what our job may be. I am thankful to remember that we work for the Lord above all else!
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I appreciate your kind words, Beth. Yes, I like being an “out front “ leader. Perhaps too much. That’s why God keeps me working in the back. Either way, just to be in His service ( doing what He has planned for me) is enough.
Blessings !
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How blessed your son is to love what he is doing! I had to smile at your words, “In my Christian service, I sometimes feel like I’m stuck back in the dish pit, doing the same monotonous job over and over. I long to be an “out front” leader, like the apostle Peter, but keep finding myself in the background, like his brother, Andrew.” I’m the opposite. I much prefer to be the behind the scenes person and am so grateful for those like you who want to be an “out front” leader. Though more times than I like, I’m pulled from behind the scenes and placed out front. I’ve come to the conclusion the Lord allows this for two reasons. First, because it makes me completely dependent on him to get the job done well and second because it makes me value the work other members of the body of Christ do so much more. Enjoy what remains of your Memorial Day weekend.
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Thank you, Petrina!
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Amen. Such wisdom from both you and your son. 🙂
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Thank you, Mandy. I am super proud of all three of my sons. Clark has definitely found his niche as an “executive dishwasher.” Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings.
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Fantastic, post! Love your son’s attitude, enthusiasm and sense of purpose! Talk about doing all for the glory of God! We need more young folks like your son!!!
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I was a bit surprised by our son’s new attitude. He has worked a few other entry level jobs, but never seemed super dedicated to them. Washing dishes is clearly his “jam.”
Thank you for sharing, Rocky. God Bless you.
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Oh so very true. If only half of the work force had the passion for their work, including we Christians, there would be no stopping us.
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That’s a great scripture verse to go with the others in this post, CG. Thank you, and God Bless.
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This makes me think of Matthew 25:40: “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” All work in God’s kingdom is important work. Thanks for the reminder and another great post.
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I was going to leave a comment, but everyone before pretty well said what needed to be said about your amazing son!
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Thanks David, for your kind comment. Yes, I am fascinated by detail, especially since I know that God is also incredibly detail-oriented, and creates each one of us uniquely, according to his perfect plan. 🤗
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Thank you, Sally. I always enjoy your posts and your comments on other’s posts. I can imagine you being thorough and meticulous about almost everything. It takes a detail oriented person to earn an advanced degree.
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I really identified with this post, David. Your son has a wonderful attitude.
I enjoy dish washing. We have no automatic dishwasher, by choice, and so I hand wash the dishes while looking out to sea through the kitchen window.
I enjoy the sound of running water, and the meditative work of slowly, and carefully handling each item.
While I am washing, I also thank God for a home, dishes, food, running water, and all my blessings. And yes, I try to be an excellent and meticulous dish washer. 🤗⚘
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Thank you, brother. Any job is valuable when done for the Lord. I appreciate your input. God Bless.
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Clark is 100% right! A good dishwasher/kitchen porter is essential for a working kitchen. I remember being interviewed many years ago at a hotel for this job, they were desperate to fill the post having lost their porter. There were dishes everywhere and the restaurant was barely surviving.
As Christians service is a valuable spiritual exercise, doing everything unto Him. Thank you for this valuable reminder brother.
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Thank you. I am a very proud poppa!
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“Dad, it’s not just dishwashing. I’m the executive director of cleanliness and order!” What a great comment! And what an insightful young man your son is. Any employer would be lucky to have him …
But, as you highlight, there is a very important life lesson for all of us in his comment. Thank you for sharing this.
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I am! He’s approaching an entry level job with amazing enthusiasm. Thanks, Rainer. 🙏
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Superb post, David. I celebrated your son’s enthusiasm for doing his work with excellence as I read your post. You must be extremely proud of him.
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