When June and I went to the Celtic Woman concert in Denver last week, we stayed overnight at the downtown Hampton Inn. As is my custom on such occasions, I went downstairs to fetch June some coffee, and I was pleasantly shocked by one of the brightest smiles I’ve ever seen. A young black man lit up when I came into his field of vision. Huge smile, “Good morning, sir!” His job? He was bussing tables.

Later, when we came down to breakfast, he was still hard at it and still smiling. We called him over, thanked him for his service, and complimented him on his cheerful attitude. His name is McCullough, and he comes from the Congo. He was probably in his mid-30s. He’s been in country for six years, but his wife was just able to join last year. He was a war refugee.

So there he is, with a harder life than most of us will know, and he’s serving at what some consider a menial task, but doing it well, bringing joy to all of us.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3.23, 24, ESV)