I have recently moved into a local law firm. For those who know me, I have been "on my own" since 1996. This means that I have been practicing without anyone else in my office. I have never had a secretary, for example, or any employees at all. My office was mine. When I went to work, I went to a place that was just me. No one bothered me, except calling for work, which was fine. The office was one place where I could rest, relax, reflect, and restore my calm. It was great.
Now, I am in an office. It is nice to have people to talk to, but there is something I had not really considered before moving here. I have lost my sanctuary.
You see, now I am in an office with quite a number of other people. There are five other lawyers, two paralegals, three secretaries, and two receptionists (they share the job). That means that I used to have an office where I never had to think of dealing with others, now I spend all day dealing with others.
What makes it hard is that second duty. You remember: "love your neighbor." There is no "work exemption" on that command. I am not allowed to "not love" people at work. I am required to love them. I am required to deal with them as with neighbors.
So, the result is that the office has become a very different world for me. Rather than a world where I was at peace, the office has become a place of challenges, a place where I am called to serve God through serving others. It is a very different experience.
Not only does it change work, but it changes my home as well. I used to go to work at a place of peace and quiet and came home pretty relaxed and ready for an evening with the family. Now, I come home without having had several hours of peace before arriving.
Strange how little things affect us. And big things, too.
Now, I am in an office. It is nice to have people to talk to, but there is something I had not really considered before moving here. I have lost my sanctuary.
You see, now I am in an office with quite a number of other people. There are five other lawyers, two paralegals, three secretaries, and two receptionists (they share the job). That means that I used to have an office where I never had to think of dealing with others, now I spend all day dealing with others.
What makes it hard is that second duty. You remember: "love your neighbor." There is no "work exemption" on that command. I am not allowed to "not love" people at work. I am required to love them. I am required to deal with them as with neighbors.
So, the result is that the office has become a very different world for me. Rather than a world where I was at peace, the office has become a place of challenges, a place where I am called to serve God through serving others. It is a very different experience.
Not only does it change work, but it changes my home as well. I used to go to work at a place of peace and quiet and came home pretty relaxed and ready for an evening with the family. Now, I come home without having had several hours of peace before arriving.
Strange how little things affect us. And big things, too.