I am a Service Employee

What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees. Deuteronomy 10:12,13

I have been in my current job for nearly 24 years under union contract with Service Employees International. As a licensed Pharmacy Technician, the "service" which I provide while performing my job is beneficial to those who receive the medications which I help to prepare under a licensed Pharmacist's supervision.

Due to the sad state of our country's economy, there continues to be an increasing amount of hardships people are facing throughout the United States. We have seen businesses close their doors for good, large corporations have called it quits, and we have seen far too many people lose their jobs. Without an income, the domino effect continues and many have lost their vehicles to repossession, and some have lost their homes to forclosure. Very few can claim complete immunity from the effects of the sad state of our nation's economy. The very city in which I am employed recently ranked number ONE in having the most housing forclosures in the entire nation!

Unfortunately four days ago, the fear of these economic uncertainties hit closer to home for me and my "family" of numerous co-workers when our very own employer began issuing region-wide notices for job layoffs as well. You see, even the nation's largest HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) isn't immune. Fears regarding the future became anxiety producing, even in this long time service employee. 'Will I still be employed in the future?' 'For how many more years will I be able to "serve"?' 'What should I do?' 'Should I consider the severance package?' 'How shall I prepare for the unknown?' 'What if....?'

I can easily become confused and start to panic while losing perspective but Moses makes it clear here. In a basic explaination of what God expects from us, we are to (1) Fear God, in other words, have respect for him. (2) Walk in all his ways by following him. (3) Love him. (4) Serve him with all my heart and soul. (5) Observe his commands.

I don't have the right answers. Only God knows the certainty of our future and God wants me to put my faith and trust in him and only him, and God wants me to continue to give my absolute best in my abilities of providing the best service that I am able. Putting all fear of job layoffs aside, while under the sterile compounding hood each day, I will continue to pray for blessings over each and every i.v. medication I prepare -- making each i.v. order with tender loving prayer. I will continue to pray for each patient specifically, and for their families. And I will continue to pray for the nursing staff and medical doctors who serve those patients as well.

Dear Jesus, I thank you for your constant love, for hearing my prayers, and for keeping my mind focused & my hands steady while I am at work preparing the i.v. orders. Only you know what the future has in store for all of us Service Employees who are facing potential job layoffs. Whatever happens, help me to accept it as Your Will. In the meantime I am truly honored to be YOUR Service Employee. I have a new understanding for what that means now! Thank you for all of my many blessings, and I ask for your blessings upon my co-workers who provide service right along with me! Thank you Jesus! Amen.