Monday Morning Memo: Getting The Job Done

My daughter was recently face timing with her almost 3-year-old nephew who is also my grandson, Elias.  She told him that he really needed a haircut.  His response was, “I think my grandma can do it.  She’ll get the job done.”  Oh how it warmed this grandma’s heart when I heard that I have the confidence of my grandson.  Of course while I was reveling in his words, Erica informed me that he learned his words from the Bob the Builder theme song.  I sure have a lot to learn about the present kids cartoons!

If you are like me and aren’t real familiar with the Bob the Builder theme song, some of the words are:

Bob the Builder Can we fix it? 
Bob the Builder Yes, we can! 

Scoop, Muck and Dizzy and Roley too 
Lofty and Wendy join the crew 

Pilchard and Bird, Travis and Spud

Playing together like good friends should

Bob the Builder Can we fix it? 
Bob the Builder Yes, we can! 

Hey! Time to get busy, such a lot to do 
Building and fixing till it's good as new 
Bob and the gang have so much fun 
Working together, they get the job done

As I read these words the other day, I thought about the fact that many of us adults would probably benefit from learning this song too.  First of all, it’s a good reminder that positivity can go far in helping us get things accomplished.  Unfortunately, as adults, we are more likely to say, “Can we fix it?  No, just not possible.  It’s going to take too much work, more money than we have, and besides…it’s not my turn to have to fix it!”  For many of us, our attitude could sure use some adjustment.

Secondly, this song lists the names of the characters and then talks about how well they play together “like good friends should”.  How refreshing.  As adults, this is a good reminder to us how important it is for us to strive to get along with those with whom God puts in our path.  Too often we only want to “play” with others only if we can get our own way.  Many of us can be fairly stubborn and we aren’t very good at cooperating with others on a day-to-day basis.  Think about how much more pleasant our lives would be if we just made an effort to get along with others “like good friends should”.

If we were intentional on getting along with others, we just might experience more fun in our lives just like Bob and the gang do.  They demonstrate the fact that working together CAN be fun and as a result, much can be accomplished while we work to get the job done.  Most of the time, if we just got busy and shared the workload, instead of wasting valuable time complaining, we could achieve great things.

I love the way that 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18 is worded in The Message.   It says, “Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.”  Wow.  Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we all lived out these words?  I think too often we are so self-absorbed that we neglect to even notice those around us.  That is a shame and a tragedy.

As we start another week, let’s focus on having a positive attitude as we work together to make a difference in the lives of those around us.  I’m guessing that we might even have fun, as good friends should, as we cooperate together to get the job done!