Joyful Yes

"Comparison is the thief of joy."

After reading portions of over fourteen books this week I find myself a little overwhelmed. Almost all of these books are exclusively about "Christian Living". Each brings a focus or offers a conclusion on the matter of things. Many of the truths in these books hail from the depths of human experience married with biblical truth. I can say that they all represent the work of God in the author's life.

However, I can't help but begin to be overwhelmed by all of the incredible wisdom and insight that is being opened up to me. The overload is such that it is quite completely impossible to present these revelations to the board of directors of my relationship with God.

My response to these completely valid and true treasures of wisdom is apathy. I can't help it! I don't have time to care. Really. I can't incorporate or pray through fourteen life changing ideas today. I can't even get to it this weekend. And if I tried, I mean really tried. I would fail.

Because of this information overload in the world today - I find it easier and easier to pick and choose what I feel is easiest and cheapest.

Recently, my Fiance's mother was selling her older home. Before she put the house on the market, we discussed things that could be done to improve the appearance of the house.

Every home is full of problems. When you do renovations before you sell a home you don't worry about the foundation, or the mold in the attic - those changes cost thousands of dollars. You stick to the easy and cheap fixes that make the house most appealing. You make those bang-for-your-buck changes, boosting your value way up for little to no cost.

When faced with ideas coming from Christianity, we must respond to those problems to which God directs us; not those which we favor as most needed, or those that are easiest. God will not overload us - he gives us each day what we can handle with His help.

Confession: I find that I am guilty of incorporating the renovations principle in my private world. I attending to those quick and easy problems, leaving the harder and deeper ones uncovered. I judge others for lacking the ability to control their small problems as well as I do.

Daily Book Quote:
"Historian Jaroslav Palikan has defined tradition as 'the living faith of the dead' and traditionalism as 'the dead faith of the living.'" (Renewing Christian Unity)

Pace Yourself.

If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know one thing for certain - someone put him there (Mark Twain)

Its the most wonderful time of the year. Especially for me. At Lowe's things were getting crazier and crazier. From the days leading up to Black Friday, our normally empty isles became packed with extra special merchandise. The training room was closed down in order to focus on customers.

This time of year is quite different in my new industry. While there may be some activity in selling books on a small scale - my job is currently off. There are no bookstores that need anything or anyone else taking up there valuable time right now. They have already bought their product for the rush.

So I find myself with little to do. Not that I have anything I am yet able to do. Currently my job includes the perks of great books to read. No calls happen until next year.

We also must understand the differences between the ever fluctuating seasons of life.

Daily Book Quote: "None of these [positions] were things I could have obtained on my own. God has placed each of us on the court of life in a variety of positions just where he needs us." (Richard Lytle, Abandon the Ordinary)

Consistently Unpredictable

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. (Herman Cain)

Apprehensive. As I think this afternoon about tomorrow morning I am full of curiosity. Are people really this difficult? Is there really anything that is easier? The pilot episode airs tomorrow at 8 o'clock. This season could be daunting. It is exciting. But it sounds boring and difficult.

I recently accepted a position at a local publishing house as a sales associate. My specialty will be telephone sales. A telemarketer.

This profession is another perfect opportunity to be different. When all others shutter, I approach. Their fears empowering my boldness. I want to do sales. I want to sit at an office chair. I want to call strangers.

Lets see how I feel tomorrow.