At work, one of the folks who work with me is most of the way through a grand project. A really big deal.

It is something that our director has wanted for a long time. Everyone talks about doing it. I offered once but I am doing so many other things my boss said no. Yet the day came when we had someone new starting in the group. My boss said "give them something challenging to test their technical ability" and so without telling them others have tried and failed I laid out the core piece of this project as their test. The person, who is a much neater, cleaner, better programmer than me not only finished the task (after a bit of head scratching) but then, when they reported done, also created extensions.

Now we are actually hiring the person, and when I was in CA this week met with him to discuss the vision I had for this and got them even more excited about it. The project you see is not only one that is going to be something for my boss and my director to brag about but it is fun and will help our new hire make a name for himself right from the get-go.

The funny comment he made was "hmm. While I am doing all the work and you are throwing all the credit on me, I see now that MANY projects in this group have your fingerprints all over them!"

That really rocked me back. My personal policy at work (even though Robert and Dave are going to have a hard time believing this) is when you never worry about the credit you get a lot more done. I have worked with fellows who made a big deal about claiming credit for everything (even my work) but what I have found over time is not to worry about that - and in fact stoke them to do even more of "their" work. That way I get the max done, they are happy they are looking like the hero, and that is fine with me. In reality my boss knows who carries the water and I don't get burned.

Anyway, this new guy IS doing all the work, and I am making sure he gets the credit, but he is making sure everyone knows the idea and design are all mine, though he doesn't have to. And thus I thought about God working in my life.

You see, I have helped many people in my life. I have finished basements, funded car repairs, paid for groceries, etc. I have held people's hands in times of trouble and hosted potlucks in their honor when they accomplished goals. But in reality... I am just the willing servant. GOD has helped many people by using my hands - GOD has finished basements, funded car repairs, and provided food. GOD has held people's hands in sorrow, and rejoiced in their times of good. God gave occasion and ability to me, intending and expecting I should pass it along.

You see, we know Jesus says "when you do this to the least of my servants, you do it to me." But isn't it also true that "when one of the least of my servants helps you" that Jesus can be found there, too? Surely I am one of the least of his servants, yet when we look close, at the end of the day, I might have done good deeds but God's fingerprints are all over, too.

Randy