The Peak of Inspiration

Once in a while my life intersects with a special kind of person.  I’m not sure what to call the quality that I find in these people.  Self-discipline maybe.  Patience?  Yes.  Tenacity?  Some of that for sure.  I suppose the reason they make an impression on me is because of the simple fact that they possess something that I need.  Very badly.

I’ll tell you about one fellow I worked with recently.  I’ll call him Bill.  Because that was his name.  Old enough to be my dad.  Small, wiry, and always moving.  Wore his glasses down on his nose a bit lower than most.  He was one of the superintendents on a large commercial project I was involved in.  This project was in the final stages, lots of contractors trying to complete their jobs and bumping against the deadlines. 

Bill was nearly always the first one on the job in the morning.  Early.  Taking care of business.  Making sure everyone had what they needed for the day.  Keeping things running as efficiently as possible.  And solving problems.  Lots of problems.  I’m not sure if he viewed them as problems or not.  But they were.  Contractors blaming the person before them for bad craftmanship.  Issues with the blueprints.  Delays in product deliveries.  Companies not showing up as promised.  One after another after another.  More than once I was the second half of his conversations.  He would look at me over his glasses, we would assess our options, choose the one that seemed best, and move on.  Problem solved.  He would take about five steps away from me, and someone else would present a quandary.  He would listen, look at the blueprints, have a frank conversation if needed and move on.  I never saw him leave someone with an unresolved problem.  No phrases like “lets just see how it goes” or “I’m not sure, just figure it out, it’ll be fine”.  This man shouldered his responsibility.  He understood his authority.  He knew what happens when you pass the buck or kick the ball down the road.  And he knew that the best time to understand and solve the problem, is the time you have right now. 

I’m a father.  I have a degree of authority.  I definitely have a responsibility.  Fathers have those that are depending on them for answers.  If a father doesn’t have the solution, just who does? 

I’m also very human.  I get weary of being the one that is suppose to solve all these issues.  Everything from being a spiritual counselor to toilet repairman.  Keeping the monthly bills paid and being financially prepared for the inevitable dental suprises.  Being someone that can rock a baby to sleep but with the firmness and patience to raise teenagers.   Savvy enough to run a business, but relatable enough to teach the Intermediate Sunday School class.  Somehow with the answer to why a bottle lamb isn’t drinking, or why the dishwasher door doesn’t latch.  

And then I think of Bill.  Hard at work, getting things done.  One problem at a time.  Not pushing them off or blaming others.  Shouldering the responsibility given to him.  Consulting the blueprints.  Just doing the things he gets paid to do.  And he gets paid.  Very well. 

For anyone that can relate with me, this is for you.  Face the problem in front of you, look it in the eye.  Talk about it.  Consult the Blueprint, a lot of the answers are right there.  Roll up your sleeves, put in a long day, do what it takes.  We may need to come early and stay late.  But let’s do our job.  We’re getting paid.  More than we deserve.  This world needs problem solvers.  Be one of them.