´óÏó´«Ã½

Matt Woodcock, Church of England Pioneer Minister and Mission Supporter in the Diocese of York:

ÌýI’m nervously preparing myself for the arrival of my new boss. Reverend Paul. He seems really nice. Friendly.Ìý Noticeably patient. Clearly those who hired him thought that was important.

I’m told one of his interview questions was: ‘How will you cope with Matt?’ Bit harsh! To be fair, though, I can be challenging to work with at times. My first boss at Eastwoods Frozen Foods certainly thought so. He preferred a less excitable approach to stacking those boxes of fish fingers. My stint at a coleslaw factory didn’t last much longer.

The supervisor shouting at me to put those plastic lids on quicker still gives me nightmares.

Even my precious Uncle Ally once fired me - after just one day on his building site. That newly-made wall was no match for my out of control wheelbarrow. Oops.

Thank heavens, then, for lovely Rita.The head housekeeper at the hotel where I cleaned rooms.

My kind of boss. Motivating, generous. Very forgiving. With her encouragement, I soon mastered those tricky hospital corners and made my bathrooms sparkle. Rita had a lovely attitude to work and people - was imbued with an infectiously willing spirit.

It really mattered to her that our mirrors were smudge-free. That no speck of dust was left on the skirting boards. And that we always remained polite and smiley - even towards the most grumpy and unreasonably messy guests. I’m trying to rekindle the spirit of those hotel corridors. Too often lately I’ve found myself going through the motions at home and work.Ìý

Approaching things a bit begrudgingly or with reluctance. Be it the weekly staff meeting. Helping with the kid's history project. Even going to church. I want to live out my days in a more Rita-like way, gladly and willingly, with more shine and sparkle.

A Biblical prayer I find helpful asks God to inspire a more positive attitude. ‘Renew a right spirit within me,’ it says. I’m also mindful to take up the challenge of St Peter. To daily seek to serve and care for others ‘not because I must but because I’m willing’.

I hear my new boss is blessed with an ‘up for it’ spirit - as well as saintly patience. I think Reverend Paul might be good for me.

What could possibly go wrong, Zoe?