My office is very busy. Multitasking in my office has become an art form. The copy machine is a fax/copier/printer. There are four computers hooked up to it and it was dying a slow and painful death. Every moving part was replaced over a two week period and it still jammed. I don’t have time to fuss with jamming copies consistently. So after I called the service guys everyday for two weeks, I was done. The office manager informed me and the sales people that they had to impress me with the machine. I told them they had to impress her with the price. I was not impressed with the first machine – it was slow, noisy, etc. The second machine was fast, quiet, user friendly and did everything I needed it to do. The third machine was a dud – too loud, slow, it didn’t switch quickly enough between functions, etc. The fourth machine was as good as the second machine. The fourth salesman bought us all lattes. Note to salesman: lattes good.
The fourth machine’s salesman was thrilled when we said we would pick their machine (really the lattes didn’t have anything to do with it). The second machine’s salesman came down in price significantly and won the final deal. The fourth machine’s salesman was disappointed but couldn’t come close to matching the other guy’s offer. The office manager was happy because she got a great deal and I was happy that copier wars were over. Now if my computer would come into the 21st century I would be thrilled.
This taught me something about people. In a situation like this someone wins and someone loses. It’s not pleasant to tell someone that you got a better offer. You can tell they are disappointed.
It got me to thinking. How does God feel when I pick something else over Him? Does He feel he’s not good enough because I rather do what I want over what He wants me to do? I’m glad that He doesn’t hold it against me. I’m grateful that He welcomes me into His waiting arms again and again. Sometimes life gets very busy but I need to remember it should never get too busy for Him.
© Nadine Z. 2008
33 comments:
Very good point.
And in regards to the copy machine. Hate them. Try my darndest to avoid using them by assigning copy tasks to others.
did I mention that I hate them?
I'm impressed that you know your copy machine's so well. :) Technology and me are not kindred spirits. :) Praise God for His mercies. :)
Great analogy!
Glad your back in blog land!
I too am copy-skilled Nadine ;-)
Keshi.
You rock on the analogies! You always amaze me with them :)
Glad you have the tools you need to get your job done.
great message! I'm a whiz in the office, but copying and stapling are a challenge for me.
I like the way you took a mundane life event and turned it in to beholding and thinking about your Lord!!
Susan
I love it when daily stuff can be turned into a life lesson. I don't seem to see them as so many of my blog friends do. What a blessing.
As for copy machines - we got a new one a year ago that can do everything except vacuum the floor! But the more things it can do,the more things can break down!
Thank you so much for your prayers!
What a wake-up call. I totally hear you. It's amazing how many times I choose the day to day things rather than God, who matters more than these things...who CREATED these things! He's definitely the bigger picture, so why does He get overlooked? I don't know, but I need to fix that, rather than talk about how much I need to fix that.
I could go on and on about how relevant this post is to me today, but I don't want to bore you. I need to dive into prayer and the Bible again, and I wish I had more fellowship and a good church. What do you think of Cavalry Chapels?
Machinery can be great and un-great...glad you got yours taken care of...
Congratulations on the book! Also...thanks for your kind words and prayers! Smiles!
It's been many years since I've worked in an office, but I had somehow earned the reputation of "copier guru" (probably because I took the time to scan the manual).
At my office, I found the people who use the technology as exasperating at the technology itself. I spent many an evening "pre-vacuuming" the carpet (and the copier) because someone neglected to notice the bright orange "DO NOT REMOVE THIS TAB" sticker from the toner bottle and proceeded to dump the entire contents inside the machine.
(The pre-vacuuming was for the benefit of the cleaning folks would would come in later in the evening.
sigh. Do today's copiers even still use toner? But I digress.
Nice analogy.
Amen to that, Nadine. It is so true - sometimes we choose other things over God and that is not a good thing...
Thank you for sharing your thoughts - I needed to read this tonight!
Hey Nadine, wow does this bring back memories when I worked for my church here in CA for 9 years. The copy machines were always a challenge for all of us. The tech would be in the office at least once a week trying to fix them. They were used 24/7 though, by everyone in the church. :/
Your point is oh so true my friend, have a nice week. We leave Wed. morning to head to Montana.
Blessings--
okay, now i've been back and forth from reading this over and over again and can't remember if i replyed... yes.. great brain i have! lol!
glad your copy wars are over!
and it's so great that God has a win situation for all who come to him!!
God Bless!
That's so true. I'm enjoying my "rise and shine" runs. It's a great time to spend with God giving Him the glory for all that He's doing and will do and has done! I also like to acknowledge His presence throughout my day.
He never EVER leaves our side! and I LOVE THAT!!!
I am trying to 'digest' this Nadine and sometimes I feel kinda 'bad' that I choose a better deal over another one..through that process 'offtended' some one.
That was well put nadine! Something to think about indeed!
Finally, a post with some class...you know, talking about salesmen! Gotta love 'em. To be a good salesman, you have to get use to being turned down from time to time, but you never give up. So, if I can be that way, I doubt if God gives it a second thought about not being first from time to time. As the ultimate salesman, He knows you'll eventually "buy"! Good post.
There is a lesson in everything if we open our hearts to it. You seem very good at living life with your heart WIDE OPEN to the Lord. Thank you for sharing Nadine.
Jennifer
Today I wrote abt God. I think u'd like to read that post Nadine :)
Keshi.
yes Nadine I'd like to know..come n tell me :)
HUGZ!
Keshi.
Great post. Thank you. I so don't want to become too busy for God. May I learn to keep my eyes on Him amidst the chaos.
ewww copiers...sometimes the Lord is the furthest from my mind when I have to deal with copiers...lol.
Great post.
Hi Nadine,
Mmm, I'm guilty of this - on this very day! Great post.
very good post...makes one think.
glad to be back into blogland!
Nadine ty sweetie HUGZ! U know me too well WOW! I was stoked to bits :)
Keshi.
Great thoughts, Nadine. So true, when we get 'in a jam' like the paper, where do we go first?
Thanks for reminding us of Him!
God bless,
Brenda
Awesome thoughts. I think that we get so caught up in our multi-tasking that we forget that God doesn't multi-task while asnwering our prayers. Thanks Nadine!
I have to do this at my work too, sometimes it is hard to tell someone they didn't get the job...not my favorite part of the job!
You are definitely on my list of blogging friends I'd love to MIRL!
Very interesting thoughts from you, as always. :)
Welcome back!! I missed you!!
I must say... you just made a fantastic analogy right there.
Thanks for the read.
As always... I love your writing...
- Audrey
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