Adventures in ... Algae Suckers

We had a death in the family. Pete, our plecostomus (you know, the algae suckers), perished a few weeks ago. He was a large guy, maybe about 6 or 7 inches long, and he kept our tank so clean. In fact, we had to supplement his diet with zucchini so he would have enough to eat. When he died, it was pretty sad. I mean he's a fish, so we weren't weeping, but we did go, "Ahhh, poor guy. That's sad."

The other fish in the tank are pretty. They have nice colors and flit around the tank in ways that are mesmerizing. But they weren't Pete. They weren't the worker fishes. And we needed a worker fish, or the tank would get so filthy we couldn't see through it. So we went out and got Pedro. He's a little guy. Maybe an inch or inch and a half, but he will eat and grow and become a grand old algae eater.

Pedro, and the late Pete, remind me of the verse in 2 Thessalonians that says, "Now we ask you brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work." (5:12-13a)

There are some people in our lives who could be easily overlooked. They are the workers who quietly do their job and aren't often thanked or recognized. But if they weren't there, you'd know it. I want to be more aware of these people and thank them when I get a chance. When you're at church, or in a hotel, or the grocery store, I challenge you, and myself, to pay attention to those who maybe aren't the up-front people, but the workers, who tirelessly fill store shelves, clean hotel rooms, or take out the garbage at church. And if you are one of those people, thanks.