I first heard the story, which dates from the 4th century C.E., during divinity school. It concerns a monk named Abba John (below) who was ordered to water a dry stick each day. He did this for three years, hauling water a long distance from an oasis in the desert in order to obey his order. The task took most of each day at the end of which the sticks, of course, were merely wet.
At the end of three years, the stick miraculously blossomed. The monk's spiritual father showed the blossoms to the other monks: "Behold, the fruit of obedience," he told them.
The first thing I wondered about in this strange tale was, What if the stick had never born fruit?" In my view, the example of obedience might be even stronger.
There are so many occasions when caregivers are called to "water sticks." Some daily and nightly tasks may seem pointless as well as endless. Sometimes the sticks bloom beautifully, sometimes they don't. It is the sacred effort which always bears fruit, whether seen or unseen. The power of the story of Abba John does not involve mindless obedience to another human. Instead, it suggests deep faith in surrendering to God's Love – consciously, prayerfully, and daily.
The guidance of Love is never pointless. The call of Love is never false.
Although I was not raised Catholic, I have always admired the faithfulness of the Benedictine monks, beginning in the 6th century, and the loving service of legions of other monks and nuns across centuries. The presence of occasional wrong behavior by a few does not contradict the endless, anonymous gifts of the many.
Surrendering to God's Love in our work is a daunting task. Instead of God, first line caregivers are often called to obey supervisors and the rules of organizations and the government. These rules may be important, however, as each of us knows (and perhaps forgets) it is Love that provides the answer to every question.
When we live Love, we always succeed.
How do you accomplish "surrender" to God in your daily work?
-Erie Chapman.
Journal of Sacred Work 
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