Sharing in the work of running a community is a joy--even if we sometimes groan a bit when we realize that it's our day to work on dish team or to sort garbage (see photo) and prepare the leftover food for composting. Sometimes seeing yesterday's soup mixed with this morning's oatmeal makes it challening to remember that we are indeed doing good things by learning to deal with our own garbage directly and in community with others!
One thing that is really encouraging, however, is that everyone--everyone--on short-term or long-term staff shares in these humblest of duties. The directors and managers are in there taking their turns right along with the rest of us. In a way, this reminds me of the story in John's Gospel of Jesus shocking his disciples by condescending to wash their feet, the job of the lowly house servant, as an example of a serving love that knows no limits.
Apparently, sometimes lessons in serving others come covered in ketchup, lentil soup, and applesauce.
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