Do More Than Just Pretend

A small sign hangs in a co-worker’s cubicle, “Just Pretend You Care.” Of course, there’s a story behind it.

One day a supervisor came into our office and my staff expressed concern for some other employees in our division who were dealing with a situation that seemed unfair to us. We were hoping for a solution or some advice on how to help them. If there was nothing that person could do, then at least we thought s/he would express sympathy for the employees’ situation. We hoped for too much.

After the supervisor left, one co-worker lamented, “Is it too much for us to expect them to care? Just pretend you care! How difficult can that be?”

The other co-worker typed up the phrase, “Just Pretend You Care,” and placed it so everyone who walks in our office sees it. People often ask us about it and our simplified version of the story has become rather amusing. In reality though, it is quite sad. We were willing to settle for false concern in place of apathy. This is not a healthy work environment. When we work in close quarters with a variety of different people we need to respect each other and yes, genuinely care about them.

During this Lenten season take time to show a loving concern for those around you. It could be listening sympathetically to their problems, thanking them for their assistance, helping them in time of need, simply greeting them with a smile, giving them a compliment, or asking about their day. Do more than just pretend you care.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

Printed with permission of Julie N for St. Mark Presbyterian's 2015 Lenten Devotional.