“Sure,” I replied. I grabbed the cleaning cart and headed out into the lunchroom.

“Hey, lunch lady!” an eighth-grade boy shouted. “We can’t eat at these gross tables!” My face grew hot as I held my temper in check at the student’s lack of respect. Being a cafeteria worker wasn’t a glamorous job, but it allowed me to work around my children’s schedules, and it helped my family pay the bills. I finished the remaining tables and headed back toward the serving line. The kids were starting to line up for their lunches.

“Thanks, Catherine,” Dottie said as she patted me on the back. “I’m glad you’re on our team.”

I smiled at Dottie and nodded. Somehow she always knew just what to say to make even the most common task seem worthwhile.

Just because you hold a job title that society doesn’t swoon over doesn’t mean that what you do isn’t important. Not all of us are destined to be doctors, lawyers, and engineers. We all have different roles in life, yet each one of them is important in God’s eyes.

We are reminded in Romans 12:4 that “we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function.” No matter what your job description, take pride in how you do your job. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a dog walker, or a cafeteria worker, job status is really not the issue. Your attitude and obedience are what matters to God. Although we may not always feel our jobs are significant, God has a plan for us and sees value in the work we do.