An Unexpected Field Trip
- itcametopass
- Dec 12, 2018
- 3 min read
Recently at where I work we reached a goal as a company, which was a huge milestone for us in terms of growth. Excitement was in the air as we were weeks away from the goal, we each worked hard and picked up the pace as the day grew closer. A few days before we were scheduled to meet our goal, our board of executives came out with an announcement that on our big day, the entire company would be closing the office and going on a field trip.
Everyone in my department was full of anticipation as to where or what was in store for us, the field trip was meant to be a surprise, and many details were left to be discovered. I personally was hoping it’d be similar to last time and we’d rent a few theater rooms at Farmington Station and be treated to a movie and a nice meal. However, the only detail we got the day before was to wear closed toes shoes and to bring a jacket in case it rained.
The awaited day finally arrived, I raced to work and clocked in at my usual time ready for an adventure. We were brought into our large warehouse where the bus was waiting out back. I couldn’t wait for the weeks worth of hard work and anticipation to finally pay off, my ears perked up as the president of the company started to make the announcement.
Admittedly I was very disappointed and felt cheated when I learned we’d be taking a “field trip” to volunteer at the Utah Food Bank... I thought to myself “Are you serious? I’m at work, not a church service project... “
The drive down to Salt Lake felt like forever, and I started to think of all the other things we could possibly have done instead. I felt like I had one of those "devil on one shoulder and angel on the other" debates, and I reminded myself that there were many blessings in store, and I just needed to choose to have a good time. I decided I should do things for the right reason, and to see how I could make a difference.
We arrived and were given the demo on working safely so I made sure to tune out to that part. We split into teams, and I got to work with another department I don’t see often, and was able to enjoy serving with them. As we began to sort some donations that had come in, a co-worker of mine made a comment that really stuck with me. She mentioned how she envisions a smiling face of the person or families who receive help from the food bank, and how she knows a few families in her community who currently require assistance.
I thought about that: many of the acts of service we do may go unnoticed, and we don’t need to necessarily always see the reaction of those we serve, but our Heavenly Father sees and will reward us openly. (Matthew 6:1-4). I reminded myself that I should be grateful I’ve been blessed to have the things I have, and be able to serve others so that they too may rise up and be able to serve as well and the chain continues.
I saw the smiles and cheerful attitudes of my co-workers around me, and I caught myself actually having a better time than whatsoever other thing we could have been doing that day. My heart felt full, and I was grateful for the Gospel and love my Heavenly Father has blessed me with, that I too may share.
It is testimony that we may find joy in serving our fellow brothers and sisters, that we are truly only in the service of our God. And that serving is rarely convenient, but it is always worth it, so long as we choose to have the right attitude. These things I share in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Brock
Comments