Narrator: Oishi
(Because I’m the only one with enough patience to tell this properly.)
Welcome to The SIGNAL Co. — a telecommunication company whose motto is:
“We test your patience so you don’t have to.”
From the outside, the building looks grand. If you’re a fresh graduate walking by during your job hunt, you’d probably pause and whisper, “Wow, I hope I work there someday.”
But once you’re inside? Different story.
Chaos.
Customers lining up like it’s Doomsday Prepper Sunday.
Complaints flying in about laggy internet, mysterious charges, and “businesses ruined” because someone’s WiFi has been dead for a week.
Screaming. Everywhere.
This is the daily warzone that tests our patience. Especially that of the frontline crew: Susan, Yohanes, and Brenda — our beloved customer service team. Though let’s be honest, only Brenda is actually doing customer service.
Susan and Yohanes?
Their motto is:
“Why give your best when you can give the bare minimum?”
Said, of course, while high-fiving in the pantry and dodging calls.
They thrive in the chaos.
Angry customer? Meh.
Why waste energy on someone who doesn’t even say thank you?
Yohanes, with his trademark deadpan:
“Let them scream. They’ll stop when they run out of air.”
And Susan? Mid-siopao bite, nodding in agreement:
“That’s right, BFF.”
But this particular morning, something was different.
Brenda — yes, Brenda, the moral compass of this shipwreck — suddenly went quiet. And then, mid-kitchen laughter, she said:
“Why is life at work unfair?”
Susan froze. Siopao still hanging out of her mouth.
Yohanes raised a brow:
“Come again, sister? Did Brenda the Perfect just ask that? Brenda, the Do Your Job Properly Brenda? Brenda the Let’s Do the Right Thing Brenda?”
Brenda sighed.
“I guess… I just feel tired. Unseen. Like I’m getting what I don’t deserve. You know what I mean?”
Susan slammed her fist on the table like she was about to lead a workers’ revolt — until Horatio T., the HR guy, passed by. That shut her up real quick.
(As your narrator, Oishi, I’d just like to add: Susan, ma’am, respectfully — you don’t get to complain about being unappreciated when you’ve been treating customers like background noise and rehearsing your nightly drama with Yohanes before even starting your shift.)
Brenda continued.
“I see staff being mistreated by managers, and managers being disrespected by staff. I see good people overlooked for promotions… while others climb the ladder without a clue. I see customers being unreasonable, and employees ignoring those who actually need help.”
Then she said something that silenced everyone:
“Not all managers are villains. And not all staff are heroes.”
Sometimes, the real enemy isn’t the title —
It’s the attitude behind it.”
That hit different.
Even Susan and Yohanes went quiet — probably because… well, they were part of the problem.
Meanwhile, Horatio T. (who’d been eavesdropping) walked straight to Ishmael — our janitor and unexpected moral authority. If the office had a prophet, it would be him.
“Hey,” Horatio asked, “what do I tell these people?”
Ishmael didn’t hesitate.
“Tell them Colossians 3:23–24.”
Horatio blinked.
“Is that… from the Bible?”
(Ishmael just stared at him.)
He finally said:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters — since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
And then he walked away to mop up a coffee spill in the customer lounge.
Horatio, being Horatio, took that verse and ran with it. He did what he loves most — drafted a company-wide memo. But first, he needed to figure out how to explain this verse to a group of burnt-out, underappreciated, chronically sarcastic employees. And this is what he sent:
“To the Survivors of Chaos: A Memo from HR (and Heaven)”
Memo Start:
Dear Signal Co. Employee,
Greetings to you people with questionable characters,
Lately, we’re being attacked by the humanoids (a.k.a. customers), and instead of showing up with our A-game, we’ve delivered legendary epic-fails. Some of you raised concerns about fairness. Some of you are the concern (you know who you are). But I hear you.
Here’s what a wise friend told me to pass on:
Colossians 3:23–24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
And now… a few thoughts that might just help.
📌 Colossians 3:23–24 reminds us that our true employer is the Lord. Whether we are praised or overlooked, we are called to work with all our heart — not for human approval, but as an offering to God. This changes how we show up in difficult workplaces.
To apply this practically:
- Shift your mindset: See your work as service to God, not just your boss.
- Pursue excellence: Not for applause, but because it honors Christ.
- Build resilience: Anchor your attitude in grace, not in how others treat you.
- Seek contentment: You may not get the role you want now, but your reward is eternal.
- Foster community: Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you.
- Reflect on your impact: Even unseen effort can quietly transform an office.
To endure toxic work culture:
- Pray consistently (Phil. 4:6–7) to stay grounded and guarded in peace.
- Know your purpose (Col. 3:23–24) — God sees what others ignore.
- Lean on others (Ecc. 4:9–10) who can help carry the weight.
- Protect your well-being (1 Cor. 6:19–20) through rest and boundaries.
- Practice gratitude (1 Thess. 5:16–18) — it keeps bitterness at bay.
- Grow through trials (James 1:2–4) — hardship builds perseverance.
- Stay rooted in truth (Phil. 4:13) — strength comes from Christ, not circumstance.
Even when the workplace doesn’t change, you can. And when you work for the Lord, no effort is wasted.
– Horatio T.
(Your favorite HR guy, probably.)
Oishi’s Note (because apparently, I have thoughts too):
So… why do I know all this?
Because Susan tells me everything. From her siopao-to-sunset monologues to every minor injustice she suffered since 1997.
And as much as I’d love to say I care — I don’t.
But this one?
This one hit different.
And I’m pretty sure Mighty Paw and Sir Barkcelot would agree.
(Especially after their HR hearings.)”
Brenda spoke. Horatio blinked. Ishmael quoted scripture. And for once, I saw Susan pause.
She actually asked herself how she can work for the Lord.
(I almost dropped my chew toy.)
Now, I could’ve said, “Read the Bible, woman.”
I could’ve said, “The memo literally quotes it.”
But I didn’t.
Because sometimes the loudest humans need to sit in quiet questions.
So here’s what I’ll say instead:
The world doesn’t revolve around Susan.
Or customers.
Or complaints.
It revolves around a Shepherd who walks with the underpaid, the overlooked, the silently screaming, the ones who forgot to submit their time sheets again and the ones who showed up anyway.
You matter. Even when no one claps. Even when your inbox on fire. Even when you’re hanging by the wi-fi thread, and your soul feels like a draft email unsent.
And yes… Susan still loves me.
Tragically. Obsessively.
And I love her too.
– Oishi 🐾
(CSO – Chief Sarcastic Officer, Certified Theologian by Experience, Dog Therapist in Residence, Signal Co.)
📡 Totally Made-Up Company Alert: The Signal Co.: Not your internet provider — but we will disconnect your emotional stability. We don’t sell broadband. We sell breakdowns.
Ember - Fire and Soul 