Bad Jobs

In this economy it's hard to discount any type of employment, because working right now is the goal -- not necessarily what you do.

Here are some jobs that certainly take a person willing to do what others don't want to do:

1. Porta-Potty Cleaner -- these folks come with a pump truck and hose to pump out the potties, and then they freshen the tanks with some foam cleaner, replenish the toilet paper, and clean what needs to be cleaned.  Rather unsung heroes, wouldn't you say?  The potties have made going to those out-of-the-way baseball fields and parks much more bearable for people of all ages.  We were at one of those more remote parks last week and when the potty cleaning truck came and took care of three of the units, I thought about the young man who did this job.  It might not be glamorous but it is most definitely appreciated!  Next year their services won't be needed.  The township got a grant and will put in bathrooms.
2. Dog Doo Cleaners -- Some people have dogs but don't want to deal with the deposits in the yard, so they hire a company to come out and do the work.  But "companies" don't do the work, do they?  People do.  So someone has to come in with small scooper shovels, waste containers, and cleaners to do this job.  A house near my son's was vacant and in foreclosure.  One day a dog doo cleaner came and spent about eight hours cleaning the fenced backyard.  Wow.  Apparently, they also sanitize and de-germ the ground where the doo was.  This prevents kids from getting in contact with the germs that might otherwise be left behind.  Once again, it takes someone special for this, and usually the companies are "mom and pop" types.
3. Crime Scene Cleaners -- Once the police and investigators have finished at the scene of a crime and have collected all of the information they need, the area is released.  Often, professional crime scene cleaners come in to do this work.  It is definitely not  pleasant, and certainly takes a special person as well.  Not only do the workers encounter something very, very disturbing, but they have to know exactly what kinds of cleaners will do the work in each instance.  A few of those home improvement programs on HGTV have featured houses that were left abandoned and are being renovated by one of their TV designer teams.  They show the "before" pictures and in many instances the filth is so extensive that the crime scene kind of cleaners might be required.
4. Garbage Collectors -- This is one of the most hazardous jobs there is.  Workers get cut by glass and other sharp edges that people throw out.  They have to be out when it is still dark, so this is very dangerous.  Drivers don't watch out for the workers like they should sometimes, and there are accidents.  There are also accidents from workers jumping up and down off of the truck.  Add to that the variances of our weather here in Northeastern Ohio, and this job certainly is a tough one.  I wonder what the average length of time a worker stays with the job.  And one other thing -- unlike the jobs mentioned above, garbage collectors make very little in wages.  Workers who are employed by a city have a better deal, but those employed by private companies really have it much rougher.  And no matter whom you work for, you still have to pick up the refuse of others.

Even in these extremes there is commonality.  All work, no matter how demeaning it might seem, has value.  We should not be defined by our work, but we are certainly made more fully human, fully alive by it.  No matter the job, the best way to approach it is to work as though we are working for God.  Because we are!!  He created us and he is our highest authority.

One of our students at UA graduated but had not as yet found a job in his field.  He was working at a fitness place selling memberships and also working as a bank teller.  Really, both were full-time jobs.  A bank customer came in one day and encountered this young man who went out of his way to be friendly and welcoming.  The customer was so taken by him and his wonderful attitude that they chatted a little more and the customer discovered that the teller had been a student of his daughter, an associate professor at UA.  The customer went home and told his daughter about the encounter and the fine young man at the bank.  The daughter made a phone call to someone she knew was hiring and got an interview for the young man.  The young man was hired and remains working for the company to this day -- and he loves his work!!  When his boss travels with him from time to time, he notes that this young man gets more hugs than anyone. 

He could have grumbled or whined about his situation and brought all of that to work with him, but he chose to do something different.  He brought the best he had to offer to both jobs and in the process, his work ethic and his kindness were rewarded.

We work for God.  Simple as that.