finesatthings

It's Saturday. I've done my Saturday things. I've drunk more than two cups of fresh-ground coffee as I sat on the porch reading a book (The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey.) I read a book the same way I drink coffeeslowly. If it's good, there's no need to hurry. Even though it could have gone a few more days, I mowed the yard. I thought I would enjoy being a sluggard more this weekend if there weren't something staring me in the face begging me to tend to it. And believe it or not, I even mowed it in diagonal lines; one of the urban conformist rituals I swore I would never do! Meg, Slate & Sandra are off to see the premiere of Disney's "Tarzan." They left the sounds of traditional jazz playing in the living room. The turquoise green ceiling fan above me whirls about air that is far too cool to be that of late June in north central Indiana. It's Father's Day weekend. And in the words of Michael Stipe, "I feel fine." (Footnote: see 'It's the End of the World as I Know It' by REM.) No, really. I'm fine. Fine has been reduced to some conversational code word to mean, "There's something afoot, but I'm not into discussing it. Or, It sucks, it's just that I don't have the (insert Spanish word for 'testicles' here) to say so." Given my history, I'm almost leery of believing myself. "All rightwhat am I suppressing?!" Peacefulyeah, I think that fits too. Not lethargic or apathetic...but, peaceful. I'm in need of a good shower, but other than thatOK, maybe a good tooth brushing. Inventory: Wife? Pretty. Loves me. Relationally good stuff happening. Life since the vacation has been good. Meg & Slate? Slate still snuggles with me and Meghan tells me she loves me with regularity. Tay & Christian? The deluge of fecal matter of a month ago seems to have dissipated. Things are as good, at least, as they've ever been. Career? What's not to love? Of all the things in recent years to surpass my expectations, this has got to be it. To do what you loveto love what you do To go to Willow and see one of the great Christian authors of our timeto be engulfed in worship. To work with the people I enjoy and respect the most. This career has made such a difference in my life. I've spent some weeks reading great books and finding Biblical references and taking it all and putting into some kind of significant orderand it's worked! To have conversations with people and know that something you've said has turned on a light that will perhaps lead to the biggest defining moment of their life. To not have to try to find room to squeeze kingdom impact stuff around the annoyance that used to be my job; That my career is all about kingdom impact. That God made me this way, and it all works for him. (If I dwell on this too long, I know I'll get mushy.) All of my life I was always asking, "What am I supposed to do?" "ThisTHIS job surely can't be what I'm here to do?" They were serious questions. Fears that I wouldn't hookup my abilities with anything that was worth investing them in. Sometimes, now, the weeks are very hectic. Stressful. Or just full. I've had stressful jobs before. But when I come home, now, after these weeks, it's different, though. One is fatigue, knowing after a little life is drained out of you, that the only thing that has changed is someone's "bottom line," and it wasn't yours! The other is fatigue, knowing that after a little life is drained out of you, someone or some people may help be changed for all eternity. I work and sleep better on thatmuch better. I used to question my work ethic. Do I just not have the drive to be a tenacious "Go-Fight-Win" employee? I have found that my work ethic is fine. (There's that word, again.) That so many years in uninspiring jobs hasn't destroyed it. It has just been waiting for the right call. I've done my Saturday things, including taking inventory in the M-files.



	06/19/99 1:58 pm "Fine" Saturday Things -Morgan Young It's Saturday. I've done my Saturday things. I've drunk more than two cups of fresh-ground coffee as I sat on the porch reading a book (The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey.) I read a book the same way I drink coffeeslowly. If it's good, there's no need to hurry. Even though it could have gone a few more days, I mowed the yard. I thought I would enjoy being a sluggard more this weekend if there weren't something staring me in the face begging me to tend to it. And believe it or not, I even mowed it in diagonal lines; one of the urban conformist rituals I swore I would never do! Meg, Slate & Sandra are off to see the premiere of Disney's "Tarzan." They left the sounds of traditional jazz playing in the living room. The turquoise green ceiling fan above me whirls about air that is far too cool to be that of late June in north central Indiana. It's Father's Day weekend. And in the words of Michael Stipe, "I feel fine." (Footnote: see 'It's the End of the World as I Know It' by REM.) No, really. I'm fine. Fine has been reduced to some conversational code word to mean, "There's something afoot, but I'm not into discussing it. Or, It sucks, it's just that I don't have the (insert Spanish word for 'testicles' here) to say so." Given my history, I'm almost leery of believing myself. "All rightwhat am I suppressing?!" Peacefulyeah, I think that fits too. Not lethargic or apathetic...but, peaceful. I'm in need of a good shower, but other than thatOK, maybe a good tooth brushing. Inventory: Wife? Pretty. Loves me. Relationally good stuff happening. Life since the vacation has been good. Meg & Slate? Slate still snuggles with me and Meghan tells me she loves me with regularity. Tay & Christian? The deluge of fecal matter of a month ago seems to have dissipated. Things are as good, at least, as they've ever been. Career? What's not to love? Of all the things in recent years to surpass my expectations, this has got to be it. To do what you loveto love what you do To go to Willow and see one of the great Christian authors of our timeto be engulfed in worship. To work with the people I enjoy and respect the most. This career has made such a difference in my life. I've spent some weeks reading great books and finding Biblical references and taking it all and putting into some kind of significant orderand it's worked! To have conversations with people and know that something you've said has turned on a light that will perhaps lead to the biggest defining moment of their life. To not have to try to find room to squeeze kingdom impact stuff around the annoyance that used to be my job; That my career is all about kingdom impact. That God made me this way, and it all works for him. (If I dwell on this too long, I know I'll get mushy.) All of my life I was always asking, "What am I supposed to do?" "ThisTHIS job surely can't be what I'm here to do?" They were serious questions. Fears that I wouldn't hookup my abilities with anything that was worth investing them in. Sometimes, now, the weeks are very hectic. Stressful. Or just full. I've had stressful jobs before. But when I come home, now, after these weeks, it's different, though. One is fatigue, knowing after a little life is drained out of you, that the only thing that has changed is someone's "bottom line," and it wasn't yours! The other is fatigue, knowing that after a little life is drained out of you, someone or some people may help be changed for all eternity. I work and sleep better on thatmuch better. I used to question my work ethic. Do I just not have the drive to be a tenacious "Go-Fight-Win" employee? I have found that my work ethic is fine. (There's that word, again.) That so many years in uninspiring jobs hasn't destroyed it. It has just been waiting for the right call. I've done my Saturday things, including taking inventory in the M-files. Happy Father's day, friends.