I T guys

So today when I went into work, everyone had something to complain about. We have just gotten new computers that are 2003, not 2007.. but do not get me started on this!! (lol) Anyway... all I heard through the day was that we could not access this or that and that we could not get into our email.. I heard it all day long and I too was one who was complaining because it stopped me from doing almost anything today.

I emailed a friend of mine (who is an IT person) and complained that I was not a fan of IT people at all... They were like - you really want me to sympathize with you.. you are kidding.. lol..

THEN the ATTITUDE check happened.

While I was walking around listening to complaints, God spoke and was like... Really Allison- why are you complaining about these individuals. Do you not realize the crap that they put up with every day- in and out?

Here is part of the email back where I realized the significance, the awesomeness of IT persons...

but honestly.. we miss out on the fact that you totally have put your all into getting the system up and running for us. We ask questions in the middle of you trying to focus to help the majority of people so we can just get what I, the individual needs. How selfish, we sit and complain but forget that you took the call at 2 am when we needed you.. or that you spent your entire weekend here trying to get things running for us. So you IT guys take the crap for all our computer issues all at once.. which is kinda like giving you more mountains because we are not thankful at all or enough for what you do, what you sacrifice, and what you need in the midst of helping us.

Then God pushed me even further. He started asking me questions about why we as a people-Christian people- to be exact or any persons- why do we put meaning only on what we do or what our bank account is? Why do we complain about the jobs others do? Think about it.. How many times do we complain that the mailperson is late or that the garbage person has not come yet or that the waiter or waitress is horrible? Would we want there job? Do we know their individual struggles? Do we know or even understand the crap they put up with? Why do we not respect who they are as individuals? In Matthew, (I was listening to this on the way home).. Jesus talks about knowing the very number of the hairs on our head. Think about it.. when we complain about such persons and the job they are doing.. (despite them doing a good or a bad job) we are discounting the love we are showing them and even further we are degrading the value that our Precious Papa has put on them. We lack the appreciation and respect for the people who we run into every day..

The other day I was listening to the song Every Man by Casting Crowns and God hit me with this question, that I present to you... "how many people do we see everyday but do not SEE?" Think about it.. the people in a car driving by you... You give the impression to them in that one moment.. that decides how they will look at you.. So how are you presenting yourself? Are we, am I acting in love, respect, appreciation, and joy for every single human being that God made? and if I believe that God made me unique, perfect, and in his image, then why am I not looking at others in my world in the same manner and treating them as such. Ouch..

So today I chose to respect the people I see every day.. whether the IT guy that is still working on the mountain at work, or its the person that is going really slow in front of me on the road.. or the garbage man.. or the dog walker? Why why do we label such negative connotations on certain jobs and apply good labels to others? Why not break down our walls to show respect to all despite their titles. God only has positive titles on us- so why not put those on others? TO see them as adorned creatures and people of the most high God- who knows even the number of hairs on their head. That is a huge wonderful picture if I ever saw one. :)

Here is a t-shirt I saw a long time ago- and I think a great image for all these people we do not really see... "Have you hugged your garbage man today?" I believe that it is time for us to get out of our comfort zones, to dismiss the labels, stereotypes, and prejudices that we hold onto so slightly and asking God to rid ourselves of these.. and in doing this being totally filled with love and respect for the other individuals- whether we see them once or have contact with them every day of our lives.