A Season of Gratitude - Work

Greetings Dear Reader,

Even though I am working to only work as a writer, I am blessed to work a “day” job that I love.  On a Monday morning, I am pleased to go to work and more so pleased to write about not being someone who dreads Monday.

I hear it often at work.  Cordial greetings are met with complaints about it being Monday.  I wish it were a world where everyone’s work was something to which they looked forward.  I must say that my stress is less than when I worked a job I did not love.  I must wonder why people remain in work that they hate.

It is a heart filled with gratitude that moves me to work where I do.  It is knowing that my work makes a difference in the lives of others.  It is a privilege to have coworkers that I like and respect. 

My supervisor and her supervisor are both people who care about us.  They balance getting the work done with seeing the needs and lives of those over whom they have responsibility.  I respect and admire them both more than I get to show.

In this season of gratitude, I must show so much for the thing that consumes so much of my time.   If I do not feel thankful for it then I must examine my own heart and if necessary, my choices in working there.  Thankfully I feel great gratitude for the to which I will give part of my life today.  It is part of my joy to do so.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Pieces of Time – Working A Job

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have had jobs I hated and jobs I loved.  Teaching was the best outside job I ever loved.  I love my current job as well.  There were others jobs that I hated.  It was hard to go to those jobs and give my pieces of time. 

It is not just the particular job.  It is the people for who one works.  It is the people with whom one works as well.  Any working part of the journey can be made easier when one works with good people or for a good cause.

So many of us work jobs we hate or with people we dislike.   The jobs we hate part is something we can control.  We could truly decide to pursue our best destinies.  We could choose to change our careers to that which inspires us.  There is always a way to change this if we are willing to do the work and take the risk.

We have less control over those for whom or with whom we work.  My approach is to be good to everyone.  Even those who are hard to work with are worthy of love and kindness.  The opportunity at my job is to do all that I can to evidence the love of Christ in every moment. 

Until I can only write for a living I must work another job.  It is also good for me to have the human interaction that is not there in the isolation of writing.  All that I do at my job is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.  The work I do impacts the needs of those around me.  The way in which I do it impacts my coworkers.

The job I currently have is a blessing.  I work with good people.  I have good leadership.  I am allowed to help others through my work.  The life I trade for money at this job is worth it.  Until it is time for the next thing I am content.  I wish the same for you Dear Reader.  I wish for you to find the path that fulfills you.  Do not chase money.  It is a tool not an end.

My Grandfather used to always say, “Do what you love and the money will come.”  A world where we all do that could be a very peaceful place.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Music that Moves Me – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Life has so many major and minor keys.  We often do not get to choose which key life plays for us.  We do get to choose how we deal with.  We get to determine our responses. 

When life is playing a minor key for me whether it is physical, emotional, or social I must determine my responses.  I must determine if you will “how I sing along.”  If I choose not to sing along things do not get better.  I cannot check out of life.  I cannot change the key but I can find the right notes to follow.

Not to take the metaphor too far but I must join in the harmony if I am to make it through the tough times.  It was recently pointed out to me that when I am in this place I still need to be aware of those around me.  My obligation to them is not lessened by my situation.  I am thankful that someone loves me enough to point this out.

I will use music to constantly remind me that I must be better today than yesterday no matter my circumstances.   No matter what the key the piper that calls my tune loves me and will be there.  All he requires of me is that I follow in faith.  That is where the joy is found in the journey.

Job Suite – Michael Card

Blameless and upright, a fearer of God

A man truly righteous, no pious façade

One about whom God was accustomed to boast

And so one whom Satan desired the most

One day the accuser came breathing out lies

It's you, holy handouts his faithfulness buys

In one desperate day his possessions were lost

His children all killed in one raw holocaust

His children all killed in one raw holocaust

And yet through it all, through the tears and pain

He worshiped his God, found no reason to blame

Once more the Deceiver denounced and decried

It's skin for skin and hide for hide

Strike down his flesh and he'll surely deny

And confess that his praying has all been a lie

Very well, take him, the Holy One sighed

But you must spare his life, my son shall not die

So Job was afflicted with terrible sores

Sat down in the ashes to wait for the Lord

Sat down in the ashes to wait for the Lord

And yet through it all, through the tears and pain

He worshiped his God, found no reason to blame

A throne of ashes, a crown of pain

A sovereign of sorrow, a mournful reign

May the day of my birth be remembered no more

May darkness and shadow come claim it once more

Why did I not perish on that dreadful day

And sleep now where kings and counselors lay?

What I dreaded most has now come upon me

Why is light giver those in misery?

I loathe my own life so my tears fall like rain

As I find that there is no peace in my pain

Lord, send a comforter now to my door

So that this terror will frighten no more

A counselor between us to come hear my oath

Someone who could lay a hand on us both

These friends of mine are no comfort to me

So deafly they listen so blindly they see

Their words and their doctrine they all sound so true

The problem is Lord, they're all wrong about you!

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I know my advocate waits upon high

My witness in heaven sees the tears that I cry

A true intercessor who will condescend

To plead with God as a man pleads for his friend

If I've been untrue, if I've robbed the poor

If I'm without guilt, what am I suffering for?

God would not crush me for some secret sin

And though he slay me still I'll trust in Him

I know now that my Redeemer's alive

He'll stand on the earth on the day he arrives

And though my body by then is no more

Yet in my flesh I know I'll see the Lord

Who is it who darkens my council

Who speaks empty words without knowledge?

Brace yourself up like a man

And answer me now if you can

Can you put on glory and splendor?

What's the way to the home of the light?

Does your voice sound like the thunder? Are you afraid?

Where were you when earth's foundations were laid?

Who gave the heart it's wisdom?

The mind it's desire to know? Can you bind the stars?

Raise your voice to the clouds?

Did you make the eagle proud?

Will the ox spend the night by your manger?

Did you let the wild donkey go free?

Can you take leviathan home as a pet?

If you merely touched him, you'd never forget

Who is it that darkens my council?

Who speaks empty words without knowledge?

Brace yourself up like a man

And answer me now if you can

I am unworthy, how can I reply?

There's nothing that you cannot do

You are the storm that calmed my soul

I place my hand over my mouth

I place my hand over my mouth

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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On Giving Thanks – Work

Greetings Dear Reader,

I know so many people who will at least once today celebrate that it is Friday.  Many people have work that is unpleasant or even depressing.  In the past I have worked at a job that I dreaded.  I have traveled to it out of duty with no joy on the journey.  I worked only for the weekend, wasting my week wishing I were elsewhere.

Whether it is because of the security of income or that I do something that I love I am thankful for my work.  Life is too sweet and precious to spend the bulk of my day doing something unrewarding.  I am thankful for the skills and gifts that allow me to work.  I am thankful for the education that has prepared me for work.  I am grateful for all that is involved in work.

I enjoy time off to be with family and recreate myself.  I cannot do those things if I am exhausted from doing work that drains me instead of fulfilling me.  I am thankful that the work I do no longer detracts from who I am.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)