Whistle while you…

Posted on May 30, 2021

Do your circumstances define you or are you a reflection of who Christ is and of your relationship with Him?

Have you heard the phrase, “Just make the best of it?”

Have you heard the dry reply, “Yeah, right!”

Rog and Charlie worked in a bakery at which they arrived early to set up, whip up icing, and start the baking before the store opened. Rog, having a mischievous spirit, enjoyed practical jokes especially targeting Charlie and the owner.

One morning Rog decided not to add the sugar to the icing made with shortening. He beat it and fluffed it until it looked like it was ready to put on the cakes and cupcakes. Gentle Charlie warned Rog to rethink his decision. Rog pictured what was about to unfold and his glee grew. The owner came in an hour after the fellows and one of the habits she had was to take her pinky, swipe it through the edge of the icing and stick her finger in her mouth to taste it. That morning Rog received the anticipated reaction. Gagging, spitting and sputtering she spewed not so kind words at the prankster.  Rog as a gifted comic soon had her laughing as well.

Not only did Rog and gentle, quiet, Charlie open the bakery they also closed it. That required prepping for the next day, cleaning equipment, sanitizing and mopping. The guys rotated the different responsibilities, but the most miserable task for Rog was mopping. He hated to mop. That one job could just about ruin an otherwise great day.

One night Rog was cleaning equipment. Alternating between humming and whistling Charlie mopped. Now Rog is a type A personality. Gregarious. Practical joker. Hurry-up-and-get-it-done guy. Charlie is a easy-going, quiet  and methodical fellow. After ten minutes of Charlie’s cheerful labors Rog grumbles, “You are driving me crazy! Every night when you mop you hum and whistle. What’s with the whistling?” Surprised, Charlie stopped, leaned on the mop, and tilting his head stared at Rog for a moment.

Smiling, he turned back to his task and replied, “I’m not just mopping. Jesus and I are mopping. We are worshiping and praising the Father in song together. Ouch! Rog felt a piercing in his heart.

Charlie knew how to make the best of any moment. He focused on the Presence of Christ with him. Engraved on his heart were five words from Matthew 28:20 “…I am with you always….” and two words from 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always.”

Rog recalled Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men….”

After locking up the bakery, Rog threw his arm around Charlie’s shoulder, and as they began their walk home he whistled,
“”Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know.
Fills my every longing
Keeps me singing as I go.**”

*Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

**He Keeps me singing by Luther Bridgers, 1910. Copyright: Public Domain