Matthew 25:21 – His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master." (NRSV)

It's 6 a.m. on a dark and moody morning, and the fog is deep in the Bay. I'm getting ready for the run that begins each new day — summer or winter, rain or shine. I have a routine to get ready — stretches, bends, push-ups, and all the stuff that says my body is ready to move — and move safely at my age! Down the road a bit is Jim, the school bus driver. While I am getting this body of mine ready for the journey ahead, Jim is doing the same — with his bus. From back to front, from top to bottom, Jim goes over that bus every weekday morning. Every safety feature is checked and re-checked. Every light is tested to ensure that it's in working order, every signal pulled in order to guarantee safety. Now, he's down on his knees looking at the tires. He did all this yesterday, and I know that he'll do it again tomorrow. No matter how repetitive it all seems, he'll continue to do it till the end of the school term. He has the safety of our children as his first priority, and he never cuts corners in this daily inspection. He is joined by dozens of drivers around the Bay and hundreds of drivers across the province who go through this same routine day after day after day. And their safety record is impressive.

These drivers have been entrusted with great treasure — our children — and they invest a lot of time and energy in doing the best that they can with what they have been given.

Maybe you could offer a friendly wave as the bus goes by or bake a few extra cookies or find some other concrete way to express thanks.

The foregoing was published as a letter to the editor expressing my gratitude to Jim and all the other bus drivers. Today, in this age of COVID-19, I could write a very similar letter about our health care staff and janitors in hospitals and schools, employees in long-term care and nursing homes, as well as essential workers in food processing, delivery, and sale. More than ever before, people have responded to the pandemic by doing their everyday tasks with extraordinary courage and devotion.

What could we do today to express our gratitude to all those who meet us on the front lines of this pandemic? "Well done, good and faithful servants!"

Prayer: God, we have so many folk to give thanks for this morning that we may never get out the door. Help us to think of ways to let them know how grateful we are for all that they do. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
Send your feedback to the author