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The Gofers and the Grunts By Vickie Paver How do I start this so I don't come off sounding like a real grouse? Hmmm---don't think there is a way. So, I'll get to it. The other day I was voicing my thoughts out loud to my husband. All right, I'll get to it and not hedge. I boisterously whined about being a grunt and always doing the groundwork, the ditch digging and having to do the heave ho! I was tired of being the behind the scenes gal! I was tired of being the "she'll get the job done," person, while others seemed to be the glory hounds. That is the whole ham---smoked! And I admit that it is reasonable to think it was one big pity party on my part. (Grin) My husband thought that I somehow had a legitimate whine---but that it didn't accomplish much to whine about the different situations in which I found myself. He understood totally because he once was a grunt in the Marine Corp. Although he understood, he did not have much sympathy! Of all things, he wanted me to take some kind of action or modify my attitude. How dare he be so logical! As we discussed my "feelings" ah---or maybe that is "tantrum," he said something that made me laugh. He said, "You may think you are a grunt, doing the ditch work and behind the scene work, but I'm an errand person." I thought about that for a second and realized that he was right. He has tirelessly run errands for family members, friends, church family and even people he doesn't know. I said, "Wow, what a team we make, the gofer and the grunt!" Of course, we had a really good laugh over that one. The realization that we are gofers and grunts and could laugh about it, did lighten the situation some. At the same time, I realized this world needs gofers and grunts. Without them some things wouldn't be successful, some people wouldn't get needed help or be encouraged. Certain jobs just would not get done! Gofers and grunts are the " take action," people of this world. They aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty. They are the ditch diggers, the cleaner-uppers and builders in this life. It is my observation that most are dependable. We may need an attitude adjustment from time to time, but for the most part, we like our jobs. I think the verse that says it all is this: Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Well, as you can probably tell, I've since had an attitude adjustment. Praise God for not giving up on this grunt. Now it’s back to work.
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