One of the things my family enjoys the most is vacationing every summer at Emerald Isle, NC. Sitting at the southern tip of the Outer Banks, it is a hidden treasure of beautiful beaches, only a few restaurants and shops, and hardly any rip currents. So riding the waves, even at my half century and beyond mark, is a beautiful thing. You can literally arrive at your oceanfront cottage, duplex, or home; plant your umbrella and beach towel in the sand and along with friends, family, and a good book; and be content and happy for your entire stay. To me, it’s about as close to heaven on earth as I can get.
Imagine my surprise when talking with my pastor in Massachusetts, he informed me that he thought we all would be working in heaven. His take—before Adam and Eve ate the apple opening the door for sin to enter, Adam was quite happily tilling the soil in the garden. It was work without the curse of sin. Hmmm…an interesting thought, and I do agree with him. But sitting on heaven’s beach surely could be good, too.
For me, writing, whether it’s a children’s book or a blog, is my work. And even though it gives me great pleasure and is also what I’m supposed to be doing at this juncture in my life, sometimes it’s the very last thing I want to do. Not only are the “what-I want to do’s” and the “need-to-do’s” daily calling, but when the gorgeous, less humid days of early autumn, of God’s beautiful creation, beckon me to come out and play, the tug-of-war inside is almost too much. Almost. Because as enticing as it all is—especially with those “what-I-want-to-do” tendencies pulling me—like a kid in a candy store, to indulge first here and then there, at the end of the day the sugar rush of satisfying my whims often leaves me wanting and even anxious.
But isn’t that, as strange as it seems, the way it is? We know, without a doubt what we ought to do but the slightest distraction finds us chasing beautiful butterflies in our daydreams or in real life.
Why do we do that to ourselves? Instead of experiencing a sense of accomplishment and the benefit of completing what is set before us, what we are left with is an unsatisfying uneasiness. And what is next on our to-do list, is now rear-ending what should have been already finished.
Maybe, just maybe, the “work” that is within our hearts to do, our calling, is more than just for our personal satisfaction. Perhaps it might even be that something that someone else really needs. Whether, at your job, it’s your finished part of a project that takes the pressure off of someone else whose work cannot be completed without it, or even someone watching your work ethic, what we do always impacts someone else.
The things that really matter may be what we don’t see.
The Olympics in Rio are soon coming to an end and while the wonderful feats of the athletes will rightfully be talked about and celebrated again and again, the media attention and pageantry will pass. Isn’t it interesting that the statue of Jesus that is in so many of the background shots on TV is standing there as a quiet reminder of what matters most.
Courtesy: USA Today
Praying that you will be blessed and will be a blessing in whatever you do today.
In His love,
Kimberly
Kimberly is the author of the children’s book Mr. Zip and The Capital Z.
