Working Like Frank

“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it,

as done for the Lord.”

–Colossians 3:23a

Nearly 25 years ago, my family and I took a vacation to an Orlando theme park with the logo of a very large mouse. The four of us enjoyed the diverse rides and attractions, yet the one moment that left us talking long after the trip ended was our encounter with a park employee named Frank.  Frank’s primary job on the day we met him was picking up trash near a ride called Test Track. At the time of our visit, that high-speed attraction was the newest one in the park. Given its long lines we secured something called a FastPass that gave us an exact time to return and thus an expedited route to the front.  The time on our pass was for two hours later.

As we were looking at a park map discussing what to do in the meantime Frank walked up and asked if he could help. I told him we were getting our bearings. “Have you been on Test Track yet?” he asked. I said that we had not, but told him about our FastPass and the plan to spend the next couple of hours seeing other things. “Does that time work for you?” Frank continued. “I guess,” I replied, not sure where this conversation was leading. “Would you like to go now, too?” he added. I think we nodded before Frank set aside his broom and dustpan, motioning for us to follow.

He led us into the gift shop beneath the ride. At Frank’s encouragement, we stopped long enough to put on some headwear and take a photo. We then returned the gear and he led us up a set of stairs bearing a large sign that read “Do Not Enter.” I kept waiting for someone to stop us, but no one did. Frank took us inside, along the catwalk over the ride and then into the control room where he introduced us to Pat who oversaw the Test Track operations. He told her that we were his family from North Carolina and smiled like a proud father as she explained the monitors and controls. When Pat finished, Frank led us to the front of the line, telling the employees boarding guests to take special care of us. As we profusely thanked him for that amazing journey, Frank replied “Disney encourages all of its employees to make sure that each day, at least one guest has a memorable experience.” Certainly he accomplished that goal with us. 

I shared that story with many people upon our return home. Most of them commented on how fortunate we had been to be in the right spot on that day. Some offered their own memories of trips to the same theme park with a few muttering that they had not received the same treatment. Yet my favorite reaction came from one who, after hearing of Frank’s care for the four of us, replied “How great that every employee is empowered to do that kind of thing!”

On this holiday weekend that celebrates labor in all its forms, we turn to the desired character trait of a strong work ethic. When it comes to the children for whom this list was developed, such an attribute could apply to completing homework or seeing a class project to completion or practicing at home for the school musical.  When it comes to adults, though, such a character goal applies to other settings: how we manage our home or the raising of children, our volunteer commitments or employment duties. All of those settings and more are affected by our work ethic. 

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul speaks at one point about the household and offers pointed direction for husbands and wives, children and even enslaved persons. After offering words that sadly were used by generations of believers to justify human bondage, Paul then adds  “Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord.”  While he meant those words only for his enslaved audience, I hear them as applying to all of us whether parents or not, grown-ups or little ones, employees or volunteers.

For in all kinds of settings, a good work ethic pays dividends. It builds trust in others that they can rely on us or provides a sense of self-satisfaction over a job well done. When things don’t turn out the way we hope, a strong work ethic can help us accept that we did all that we could. And, as I learned in 2003, it can bring unexpected joy to a family at an amusement park.

Thus, on this Labor Day weekend, I encourage you to recall the Franks in your life whose work ethic made a lasting impression.  And then to put down your literal or symbolic dust pan and offer the same gift to someone else.

Constant One, thank you for all of the gifts that enable me to work for pay and make a difference in other settings. Even as I praise you as the source of every talent help me to use them in ways that clearly bless the lives of others. Amen.