Papers and Needles

Most of the time, our jobs are more than something we do just to earn a paycheck. Sometimes we plan a career. Sometimes a career seems to fall in our lap. Sometimes we love it. Sometimes we are just passing time and waiting until a better opportunity comes along. People talk about passion. Sometimes what we are passionate about is not something that seems to be something we can make a living at. Sometimes we learn to love what we do. Sometimes not.

What a blessing that each of us has different talents. Can you imagine being forced into an occupation that maybe you do not have a talent for....or maybe even not have the stomach to do? The title Papers and Needles refers to my sister and I.

I am the papers. Bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, and numbers. Those are things I can handle. Writing when I was told to do it in school was not rewarding. Now I enjoy it. Even as we become more of a paperless society, I am more of a hands off type of person.

My sister is the needles. She is a nurse. Needles, blood, vitals and patients. Those are all things she can handle with ease. Patient care, informing families, and charting are all things she runs into on a normal night. She has planned her schooling and career around her family which I greatly admire. She is definitely hands on.

Communication and customer service are skills that are assets on any job. There are times that we are called to use (or fake our way through) skills we didn't even know we possessed. However, when given a choice, we usually know what we are best at and what type of jobs we feel we are best fitted for.

Often, if we are parents, we may be at home taking care of the littles, or in addition to our paid jobs. Parenting involves skills that can incorporate papers, needles, counseling and any other of a wide variety of skills we seem to learn along the way. Sometimes we may need to rely on “experts” just like on any other job. Sometimes we are learning skills that will help us help others along their journey or just be able to help someone by saying “me too”.

Wherever you are in your job search or career, I pray that you get to use your skills and talents to encourage yourself and others and to make a life while making a living.

Romans 12:6-8 (NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,  do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The Joy Factor

Lately (for the past 2+ years), when I am feeling bummed with life, I go visit the triplets. Nephews and niece that graced the world with their births and they continue to be a blessing. I can say this as their aunt.....I don't have to live with them. BUT I probably would, if I could.

They were slightly preemie. They came home and it always seemed like at least one needed to be eating. What a bonus though. Instead of all of us fawning over one baby.....3 of us would get to hold a baby during a visit. It seemed like that stage would last forever. It didn't.

It seemed like they would be happy staying within those cushioned "walls" of the wrap around couch. It wasn't. They learned that there was a whole world waiting to be explored beyond the couch.

I know kids experience and give joy. I'm sure my kids have (and still do!). However, maybe I'm just paying closer attention to the triplets because our kids are older.

I love to watch the triplets learn something for the first time...and then repeat it....even days later. They are such little copycats with repeating the words and phrases we say.

I want to learn to copycat some of their ways though. The way they experience the world....fresh each day. The content feeling they have just snuggling on a lap. The joy they get from learning OR just having fun. Spinning for no reason other than it makes people laugh as they topple over.

Kids have a joy factor that we can only hope to copy. If the world or circumstances don't prevent it, that joy can stay for a long time. I pray that we adults can find that joy that sometimes hides beneath our responsibilities.

Join me for a spin and topple?  :)

Romans 12:11-12 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Noble Peace

I usually try to stay away from being too political....especially on here. There is usually a wide gap between left and right without a lot of meeting in the middle. The big issues that the two sides can't agree on do not have a lot of gray area.

The recent news of the Nobel Peace prize awarded to the president was interesting. I do not really know a lot about his career before becoming president to know if it is deserved or not. Do I think he's riding the fame of the now generation? More than likely. For interest sake, a list of previous winners is available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nobel_Peace_Prize_laureates I did not know the award had been around since 1901. There were also some years the award was not given out. My information learned for the day.

Then I saw today's verse on BibleGateway:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”- Romans 12:2 (NIV)

I started playing around with the idea of the spelling. Rearranged Nobel Peace becomes Noble which made me think of God. I tend to get bogged down by details and where the world seems to be heading. So I'm thinking a renewing of my mind is in order. Then I looked up the verse about peace that passes understanding. The verses before and after are good too.

Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

The verses above are an excellent reminder to guard our hearts and our minds. Find our way to NOBLE PEACE and it won't matter what the world does.

I'll move past doubt in the events of this world and think on true, noble (didn't even know that was in the verse at 1st! - guess that ties it all together!), right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things.

How about you? Ready to be a transform-er?