“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”

We have just returned from spending a week in the beautiful state of Arizona! And I must say, a week isn’t nearly ample time to truly experience the awe and beauty this south western state has to offer to the traveler’s eyes. Getting to the Grand Canyon in person has been on my bucket list for years…. Merely seeing photos of this world wonder has not satisfied my longing to stand on one of the rims and soak in the majesty with every blink of an eye. I’ve got some of my own photos now, most of which are calendar worthy I might add and will allow me countless hours revisiting creation’s truly magical scenery. I’d return in a heartbeat…what I’d like to share with you though are some thoughts about some of the people we met along our week’s journey from Michigan to Arizona.

• We departed from Detroit Metro on Sunday, May 29. This was AFTER our Saturday flight was canceled due to mechanical failure of our plane. When our air carrier finally made the hard decision to keep us grounded, we were put up in a local hotel. That’s where I met our hotel shuttle driver (sorry I didn’t get her name) She was bubbly, kind, and super friendly. During our brief ride she talked about her dream to become an over the road truck driver so she could earn good money…see the nation….buy a home. Her enthusiasm for her work inspired me regarding a generation 40 years younger than myself.
• Sunday morning I met Natalie. She was the counter agent for our flight who was honest enough to tell us “this plane isn’t leaving anytime soon….” (repair issues were still of top concern) I listened and observed as passenger after passenger approached her to complain, argue and cry about their situation and NEED to leave Detroit. Natalie never wavered in her patience. She was kind. She was honest. Above all, she was helpful to reroute many travelers that morning, including us, all with a calm smile on her experienced face of 17 years working for the airlines.
• One of our excursions included a rail tour through the Verde Valley south of Sedona. To enhance the experience, the company employed a personal bartender and a “tour guide” for each passenger car. Our young lady working the bar did so with great fun and laughter, taking time to point out areas of historical significance….Larry, the actual tour guide on board for us did the same. He was a retired guy, full of energy and a love for explaining rock formations and historical background on abandoned mining camps and ranches deep inside the rocky cliffs and mountains. I found myself listening to both of them with eager ears, asking myself if they ever got bored with each rail tour loaded with first time visitors who would ask questions they’ve heard countless times in their years on the job.
• Tracey was our jeep tour driver for our visit to the southern rim of the Canyon. She told us she moved from the midwest to give up a vet tech position to live in Arizona and train to become a tour guide for the Canyon. The amount of lilt in her voice as she described the national forest and its inhabitants….deer, elk, big cats, birds, etc. was enough to keep a balloon afloat. With every repeated fact she never seemed to appear bored or anxious to end her shift with each turn in the road…each pass of locating elk…describing the history of the park and the people who made this area accessible for the millions who have come to see the canyon’s endless beauty. 
• Not to leave out someone who may appear as a “lesser than” much needed employee was the hostess at our hotel who greeted us Wednesday morning when we came for breakfast. Hands gesturing and eyes bright with life we were welcomed to the breakfast spot as though we were royalty. This woman looked aged, experience was evident, but her zeal and hospitality sure overshadowed any doubt that her job was mundane.
• Oscar was our curbside agent when we departed Phoenix to return home. He worked quickly, attention to detail and the long line of “ready to get home travelers” didn’t phase him one bit. Bags were checked, double checked, boarding passes issued and directions to our gate were given with kindness, a big smile and a huge “thank you” when I told him he “was a good man”.

We met many employees in a variety of settings during our vacation week. Airport. Restaurants. Shuttles. Hotel. Resort. Site Attractions. I must say, each one displayed the definition of the verse I inserted at the top of today’s blog. There’s only one guy that comes to mind as one who didn’t seem very thrilled to be working. He was our shuttle driver from the airport to our car parked in a  long term lot. He didn’t hop out of his seat to help us load four bags of luggage. He was pretty tight lipped during the short drive to our car. He remained seated and didn’t offer to help unload those four bags. I mentioned my observations to my husband who responded “that’s why he got two bucks and not five for a tip…”    I think he needs to read Colossians…not sure the others I’ve described have, but the zeal in their respective work positions sure give a hint of knowing HOW to approach the day-to-day tasks in their work day.