April-May 2008—Volume 28, No. 2

Chaplaincy Committee
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends (and my co-workers!)

by Mike Reyes, Chaplain

Joel Osteen wrote an interesting new book entitled, Become a Better You. In Chapter 14, page 171, he states “If you want your relationships to thrive, you must invest in them by being a giver rather than a taker. Everywhere you go, strive to make relational deposits into people’s lives, encouraging them, building them up, and helping them feel better about themselves.” On page 172, he reminds us to try to get our minds off ourselves and quit living with that “What can you do for me?” attitude. He advises us to replace it with questions such as, “What can I do to help someone else? How can I make your life better? How can I encourage you?” Joel states, “Make sure you are investing in people...”

Investing in people has good pay-offs. Giving to a needy co-worker may encourage them to help others. I have known of several cash collections at several plants when first borns have come into this world or when someone has passed. At Marshall ISD, school employees give their sick days to others who become ill or temporarily disabled in hopes that they may receive the help they need someday.

There is evidence in society that support goes a long way. It has been stated that fathers who nurtured their sons in their chosen careers and attempted to understand their ambition (even when it differed from their own), learned to appreciate their achievements. As a result of their investment, their sons grew up to be successful, as well-adjusted as husbands and fathers. In Biblical times, the sick were ordered to report to the elders to be prayed over and confess their sins to each other so that they could be healed (James 5:13-16). They recognized that by seeking the guidance, wisdom and support of others(even without self-help manuals) they could go farther (and be healed faster) than by coping on their own.

The Gospel reminds us to laugh with those who laugh but mourn with those who mourn. In Proverbs 13:20 we are taught that if we walk with the wise, we will become wise. To a modern world, it means we become better, stronger, wiser if we listen to those who walked before us and seek guidance from those in positions to teach. My wife had a student hang a sign outside the class that says ‘the only wasted knowledge is what we refuse to learn’. Even though she and her boss work with pre-teens, they often start from scratch teaching basics like sitting still (not all kids attend church), saying thank you (manners aren’t vital in homes struggling daily to survive) and taking baths (some must choose between soap or soup). By “mentoring” young boys, she hopes they turn into young men who reach out to other teens. The teacher she assists spends time “mentoring her” so she can “mentoring them”. He passes down the torch, and she passes it on and so on. My father-in-law, a professor at Sinclair College in Dayton, would refer to this as the “Circle of Life.”

Walt Disney practiced brotherhood and portrayed it in his characters. From the way Mufasa guided Simba to be King...to Jimminy Cricket tiredly warning Pinocchio...and Peter Pan protecting the Island of the Lost Boys. And who can forget the handful of mice who pulled together to create the now-famous gown for Cinderella’s night out. This confirms Disney’s theme, “You’ve got a friend in me” holds true in real life as well as animation. Phillipians 2:4 reminds us not to focus only on our affairs, but to care for others. “A real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24b). After all, if we were capable of handling life on our own, God would not have had to send His Son.

Mentors come in all shapes and forms. It can be an older sister or brother, your mom or dad, an aunt or uncle, your grandmother or grandfather. Your mentor can be a professor, an instructor, a teacher, a coach, or a journeyman. A mentor can be anyone who comes into your life, who is willing to teach you and you’re willing to listen and learn.

Jerry Kennedy, the former chaplain, my predecessor and mentor, will be having a motorcycle rally on May 17 at his church on Mansfield Rd in Keithville. Among the festivities, there will be a Sportster raffled off. These tickets are currently being sold by Roy Stump in the new benefits office on second shift and by Ted Lewis (Nextel 124) in reprocess on first shift. Pamphlets for the event can be read on the info boards throughout the plant.