by David Scott Robertson
I don't know why I noticed him but I did.
An African-American man standing on the side of the road in work clothes
Complete with a hard-hat, a fluorescent vest, and a flag in his hand.
I see this man about four times each day on weekdays.
First, early in the mornings as I drive and return from taking my daughter Abbey to school,
And then later in the day when I drive and return from exercising at the local university.
Each time I pass, there he is,
Faithfully holding that flag out,
Hour after hour after hour standing in the hot sun (or in the rain).
The crew has been contracted to install a pipeline next to the roadway.
It's a small crew of about four persons running heavy equipment plus a flagman.
But it's the flagman that has riveted my attention.
The flagman stands there all day with a flag in his hand.
Apparently, his job is to warn people of impending construction and to encourage them to slow down in their cars.
I don't exactly know why,
But I find myself wondering what would it be like to be a flagman for a living?
How does he endure standing there, virtually in one spot, hour after hour, day after day, as the crew slowly makes its way down the roadway?
Does he have a family? Children? Grandkids?
Is lunchtime the high point of his day for the mental and physical break of the monotony?
How much does a flagman make per hour?
Does he consider it "easy money" or "the hardest job I've ever had" having to stand in one spot all day long?
How does he pass the time?
What is he thinking?
Is he praying?
Does he daydream?
Does he consider what might have been or fantasize of might be?
How does he cope with standing there like a soldier at attention for great lengths of time?
Is he this patient at home?
Please understand that on every occasion that I have seen the flagman -
Four times a day, mind you, week after week -
He has been in one spot doing the same thing each time - just standing there.
This particular construction situation does not require him to get out in the road and direct traffic.
As the crew continues working their way down the long stretch of road installing pipe,
The flagman literally is just standing there for 8 hours (or more) per day
Holding a rolled up flag in his hand.
Why does that boggle my mind so?
Why do I find myself thinking of what I would do if I were in his shoes?
Why have I recently found myself praying for this man as I drive by?
Do I stop one day and give him a copy of this thought to let him know he's inspired me?
Do I stop one day and give him $10 to buy his lunch just to give him something to talk about at home at suppertime?
Do I stop one day and ask him a few questions about himself so I can pray more effectively?
One day I waved at him as I drove by and he returned my wave only with a bewildered look on his face.
I wonder if he notices my unusual red sports car go by four times a day and is curious about the driver?
Once again, I have to ask myself, why does this guy cause me to think?
Not sure, but I have established a few facts:
Is the flagman gainfully employed?
Yes. He is earning a living.
Is he an important part of the crew?
Yes. Perhaps the law requires a flagman on all such roadside projects.
Is he an important individual?
Yes. To his family, there is no replacement.
Can he be used of God on the job?
Yes. His prayers from the side of the road have the potential to change the world. Also, he may be on assignment from God to witness to the other four people on his crew who might otherwise never have a chance to know the Lord. Or perhaps it's the other way around. Perhaps he is a "pre-saved" individual and a fellow crew member is working on him to come to know the Lord.
I don't know but one thing I do know is that all people,
From flagmen to surgeons
Play an important role in our economy and society.
No man or woman is greater than or less than anyone else in the eternal scheme of things.
God does not judge a man by what he does for a living,
But He judges them based on their relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ,
And the stewardship of the gifts and talents He has given them.
Therefore, I conclude that to be a saved flagman
Is a superior example of success in life
Than to be an unsaved surgeon.
DSR
10/21/02