Twinkle in you[r] i: it's not about you, you know

Hum-Drum:
The twinkle in you[r] i

Awaken
Arise
Blink
Suprise - -
morning is here
Already.
Its hard to hold
steady
Iron
Shave
Eat what you
crave
Then it's back:
routine
Doing the same
thing
once more.

What I would like to know is what puts the twinkle in the hum-drum of your life? What puts the sparkle in your routine?
Going to work today was the same old, same old. I work at a Doctor's office. Receptionist? No. Nurse, definitely not. Physician's assistant (PA) - ha ha ha, I would kill someone. No, I am the not anything close to anyone important. On the contrary, I am the glamorous filer. Do you know what that means? It means overworked and underpaid. Well, it's like this: I get a chart; I put it away. I write information in a different chart, fax the contents of poor old what's-his-face, put the 50th stamp on the 49th envelope (don't ask about the extra stamp - bad memories). The same patients come in. Okay, well, they're not technically the same, but I guess they all should wear identity badges because I get Roger (who hurt his foot) confused with Edgar (who is also 85 and has a wicked swing in golf) with Albert who needs dental work but for some reason wound up at our office.
Then come the stories. Everyone has a story. You should hear the voicemails at work. It's what I call the eternal voicemail. It goes something like this:
"Hey, this is Sharon. I was cutting carrots when I sliced the tip of my finger. It startled me so much that I dropped the carrot I was holding at the time which fell - it hit my foot, and well, there's only a small bruise there - that's not really why I'm calling you see, but it's my finger. The one I cut. I was using that knife, it was just a betty crocker special - I love reading her magazines, and my sister got one so I just had to; it works great for peeling potatoes. But you see my finger, it's got this cut on it and well I think it might be infected. I was just wondering if you could work me into your schedule (already overbooked) and help me figure out what is going on. .Thanks! Bye."
Or, they come in and want to tell you all sorts of stories personally. Do you know how hard it is to set up an appointment for Mr. Thomson while Sally Crate is telling you about little Tommy's 2-inch gash. It's hard! You have to smile, nod appreciatively, and keep clacking away at the typewriter. The bad thing is when you smile instead of grimacing - yeah that's not so great; it doesn't go over so well. It's like,
"And then Tommy. . .he fell in the well."
Receptionist nods appreciatively. At the pause she glances up, "You say he did well?"
"No, fell in the well"
(Over dramatized gasp for effect to cover the auditory blunder of the century) "No!"
"Yes! I tell you he did, and land sakes alive I thought he was gone. He was gooone! But then Joe came. . ."
Type-type-type; clackety, clackety, clackety.

I find my thoughts vaguely wondering, quite often, as my fingers move repititiously in their trained pattern over the envelopes. My eyes drift to the clock. I think they slow clocks down after they reach 4:45. You ever noticed that? It's like, 4:30. . .yes! Now, 4:45, 15 more minutes, come on, and then. . .2 years later...5:00. What do you do when your mind is numb?
If I'm not careful, my thoughts go straight to myself and my oh-so-valuable schedule. What am I going to do after penititionary, I mean, work? I wonder what I'll eat for dinner. Why on earth did I wear these earrings? What was I thinking when these shoes were on sale - couldn't I tell they would hurt. I wonder when my boyfriend will call; he's such a darling. Oh, man, did I put gas in my car this morning? Pizza sounds really good right now.
After work, I find it is easy to get annoyed at the hum drum of life. How can I change this? It's easy to come into work with a smile, maintain it for about 3 hours, then resurrect it after lunch, but what about smiling at all hours of the time. I don't mean your face has to smile - but your heart needs to glow. I have decided that I am tired of complaining in my heart about my schedule or the routine. I'm tired of listening to the same old, same old at work. What can I do?
Well, it all starts with God. Yeah, okay, obviously, but what does that mean, exactly? He is the One on whom ALL of my thoughts of my heart should focus. Am I loving him most or myself? What can I learn from routine? Look at the people you see every day. Every day. What can they teach you about life? I"ve learned that people are craving for someone's attention and love. Even a stranger's! So take the time to listen to the people at church. I know they say the same things - but that doesn't matter; it's not the point. The relevancy of the conversation does not always consist on the substance of the discussion of information. You are establishing a relationship; you're communicating your care. It doesn't matter if you don't mention yourself once. What matters is that they see Christ.
It's all about praise. Praise God all-of-the-time. All the time! Praise God. Why? Scripture tells us to but mainly because He IS worthy. Does it help? Yes, but why? It directs your thoughts; it increases your love for the Savior; it helps you remember why your little life matters: because God is. Because God has redeemed you. So don't forget about him.

Looking for Something with which to Fill Your Time?

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. (2)Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.(3) Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.(4) Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. (5)Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. (6) Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!


Psalm 150

How many times do we actually take the time to praise our great God? Maybe we haven't been meditating on Who He is or on His goodness to us. Maybe we have been filling our minds with entertainment as a fluffy diversion from the cares of the world. Maybe we have forgotten Him.
How many times does Scripture urge us to praise the Lord? Just try reading Psalm 107 to be reminded of our call to praise. My God is good and He wants to have His children praise His name. Do we not praise the ones we love? Do we not praise complete and total strangers for a job well done if they come to help us with someone? We praise atheletes, actors, preachers, and friends, but do we praise our God.
I don't know about you, but once you're in love it seems the easiest thing in the world to find ways to praise the person who makes your life shimmer with gladness; to find methods of complimenting a soul's best friend. Why can't we do that for God? He's always listening.

Welcome

Sometimes, I wonder exactly what to do in life. I want to accomplish a lot of things, but mostly, I just want to live for the Lord. This blog, hopefully, will communicate my feelings about my God and will encourage the hearts of those who love Him as I do. I don't have many answers and I don't know specifically where my life will lead. However, I do know that every day I decide. I decide to surrender, I decide to submit and follow Christ and make the day count for eternity. May my life be controlled by His love, guided by His grace, and prepared for future service.

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
James 4:14
Porque ¿qué es vuestra vida? Ciertamente es neblina que se aparece por un poco de tiempo, y luego se desvanece.


You Give Rest
I turn my thoughts to You, O Lord,
Consume my restless mind.
With longing heart I run to You,
For those who seek will find.
I’m weary of the battle sore,
Exhausted from the fight.
Yet You, with Your almighty pow’r,
Make all my burdens light!

I come to You with guilt and shame,
Forgive me of my sin.
You run to me with open arms
Receiving me again.
I’m burdened down with countless sins
Afflicted, crushed, undone.
Yet You, with kindness as Your robe,
Accept me as Your son!

I bow with humble heart and soul,
Exalt Yourself anew.
You’re worthy of eternal praise,
For there is none like You.
I’m poor and needy of Your strength,
Oppressed in every part.
Yet You, with all-sufficient grace,
Refresh my fainting heart!

Copyright 2009 Jonathan Biddle
controlledbyhislove.com