“…Those parts of the body that seem to be the weaker are really necessary. And the parts of the body we think are less deserving are the parts to which we give the most honor. We give special respect to the parts we want to hide”   (1 Corinthians 12:22-23, NCV).

     I met one of the most important employees of a local hospital yesterday. Not the CEO or the chief of staff or a nurse manager. Her name is Esperanza which, in Spanish, means hope.

     Esperanza is a housekeeper. She was dry mopping the edges of the hallway floor as I watched from a distance. In my estimation, Esperanza is a lifesaver. Most people are oblivious to the viral hazards that cling to medical walkways.

     Twenty-two percent of floor sites routinely test positive for staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Thirty-three percent of hospital pathways revealed the presence of Clostridium difficile (C. diff). Unfortunately, pathogens such as these are transferred unwittingly to wheelchair wheels, shoes, call buttons, bed rails, chairs, doorknobs, telephones, and food trays.

     While the medical staff diligently does everything to bring about healing for their patients, support staff like Esperanza are indispensable to the hospital’s mission. Entrepreneur, Jennifer Ho-Dougatz, claims, “The least important person in a business is the most important person in a business.” Paul argued that a similar reality holds true for those who are too often overlooked in the church.

     My mother used to bake pies and deliver them to families who had just moved into the neighborhood. Mom’s apple pie recipe is legendary. I am convinced that her pies drew an equal number of people into the life of the church as my father the preacher.

     Those whom the world deems least important are necessary to keep our common life together functioning properly. Case in point. The recent threat of a nationwide railway strike would have brought America’s economy to a screeching halt.

     So, the next time you cross paths with a mail carrier or a refuse collector or cable repair person, given these persons a great big, “Thank You.” Let them know how much you value and appreciate all they do. Because, frankly, without them all of humanity would stand little hope.