Occupied With Gladness

My husband always holds my hand.
No matter where we are walking, no matter how far, his hand always finds mine.
I have been married to him for thirty-six years now.
That is a lot of hand holding.

I don’t think about it, since it really is second nature to us.
I don’t think about it until someone else says something.
It always makes me smile when someone notices.
However, that is not why my husband does it.

His father did the same thing.
He had seen that modeled all his life.
My husband’s hand will intuitively find my hand every time.
It is really lovely after all these years.

I parked in a different area of the parking lot.
I usually park under the overhang but not this day.
This day I parked on the upper level.
This day it was all sun and a lot of open space.

I saw them as soon as I got out of my car.
They were holding hands and he was pulling her close to him.
He kissed the top of her head.
They were laughing together.

I was walking behind them.
I was smiling.
You, two, make me smile, I said, realizing that my thoughts had become words.
They turned towards me.

It’s so nice to see, I said.
I married my best friend, the husband said pulling his wife close to him.
How long are you married? I asked them.
Fifty years, the wife said proudly.

They did not look much older than my husband and I.
They were adorable together.
They seemed to really like each other’s company.
Do you have children? I asked.

We have two, the wife answered.
She said a number of grandchildren they have as well.
You have made my day, I said to them and meant every word.
It’s nice to see a couple enjoy each other, I added.

We said our goodbyes and went on our way.
I decided to run into the bathroom before I set off to do the things I needed to do.
Inside was a yellow caution sign, notifying women that the bathroom was being cleaned.
Some women were standing in the doorway, talking to the woman pushing the cleaning cart.

Is it OK to come in? I asked wondering if the floors were wet.
Come in, come in, the woman behind the cleaning cart said with a smile.
As I was at the sink, I began to talk to her.
Thank you so much for always keeping this bathroom so clean, I said.

They were not just words.
Public bathrooms are not my favorite place, but this particular one is always clean.
I never knew who was responsible.
This day, I finally met the person to thank.

The woman behind the cleaning cart smiled.
You’re welcome, she said in a beautiful accent.
I want you to know that I appreciate you; this is always the cleanest bathroom, I told her.
I have been working here for five years, she told me.

Thank you so much for keeping it so nice for all of us, I said again.
Do you have to leave here and clean your own house? I asked her.
Yes, I clean here, then go home and cook and clean for my family, she admitted.
They are very blessed to have you and this store is blessed as well, I said.

Enjoy your day, she said, her voice lilting like music.
You, as well, I said as I walked out the door.
Five years of making sure the bathrooms and the store are clean.
Five years of service.

I hoped that she heard the sincerity in my voice.
I hoped that she, at least for those few minutes, felt that what she does really mattered.
What she does is not thankless.
What she does blesses so many.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

I think about how many people expect to work for a company without paying their dues.
They expect to come in, jump over many others, and move to an upper level from the start.
Somehow life owes them this or that.
Beginner’s level is not for them.

Then, there is the woman behind the cleaning cart.
The woman works at a job that no one ever notices until the job is not done.
Then there is the couple.
The couple who just enjoys each other’s company and does nothing for show.

I saw people that reminded me of the importance of leading quiet lives.
How lovely it is; how much the world needs to see it.
They find joy in their work.
They find joy in the people they love.

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift from God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness. (Ecclesiastes 5:19,20)

Occupied with gladness.
I thought of that verse as I walked towards my car in the parking lot.
I saw the truth of God’s Word lived out.
I want that to be true of my life as well.

Lord Jesus, help us to go about our days enjoying the work and the tasks You have called us to do. Let us do those things with a cheerful spirit and a glad heart. Even that gladness is a gift from You. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.