I'm excited to say I'm officially a member of my church (csbible.org). This past Sunday afternoon I sat down with the Elders and we went through my testimony. They asked who Jesus Christ was to me and how someone is saved. I answered their questions to satisfaction, while I suppose I could have been more reverent in the conversation. I feel like I've known them for so long already, I suppose this conversation was under different grounds though in a way.
I was anticipating the managers meeting today at work. The Produce department a few weeks ago was -12 in target sales. The week while the manager was out for a death in the family and I worked most of it while trying to practice "Just-in-time-ordering," we went to -9 in sales. This past week when I worked every day and was happily able to control the ordering, we raised to a -2 in sales. It seems I've found a very important part of how to control shrink (product that doesn't sell, goes out of date, or ends up in the trash somehow). I love being efficient!
This morning I came in to find about 2 days worth of product on the truck (4 pallets of produce). I was discouraged and didn't get much done. As the day passed, I noticed that much of it was needed. It seems the major reason it was so much was all the salads ordered. A few other little things got on my nerves coupled with my mind running in different directions and it made for a somewhat depressing day. I apologized to the closer because I know I could have done more, working as long as I did. I even had to stay over to just get the bare minimum of my shift done. I left wondering what got into me. I only began to speed up as I forced myself to it right before leaving. Hmm... maybe tomorrow will be better. I do enjoy closing when I'm not the one opening the next day. It gives me a goal to work hard to make the next person's day easier. Somehow it's no fun when you're making you're own day easier... or less fun, rather.
My manager put in his 2 weeks notice recently. Apparently, it's more like a 1 week notice from what I'm seeing. I had 3 managers ask/suggest that I take his place or at least apply for the Assistant position. I've been offered that position more than once by multiple people. Even the head of Human Resources came in today and spoke with me about it (she wasn't just there for me of course). Fortunately, I can only give them so many hours, certain days, and I've got school to pursue so I wouldn't be a fitting candidate for manager.
On lunch I overheard a discussion among some of the managers and other employees. They were talking about local car wrecks where people die young and those situations that beg the question, "Where is God?" They talked of how one of them asked a preacher and when he didn't give an answer they thought, "aren't you supposed to 'have His ear'?" You might have heard of the idea or expression. When they were finished, I approached the Floral manager and told her the answers to their questions were simple ones. Whenever we ask a question in the spirit of, "Why did God take my 71 year old grandmother? She never hurt anyone" (you can add whatever age you want), it seems unfair somehow doesn't it?
The answer is simply that the same God who took that life is the one who gave you the enjoyment of that person for as many years as they DID live. If He is the author of life, then He can also be the one to take it away. We weren't asked to be born. Why should we be asked when to die? Why not simply trust the God that is already so much bigger and smarter than any of us? His reasons need not be known, for He is soveriegn and holds all things in His hands.
From another angle, God is infintely gracious and infinitely merciful as to even give us our next breath... which we do not deserve. He's given us all that we DO have. For those who have children, they are a gift from God. For those who have a wife (or husband), they are a gift from God. Scripture even tells us this explicitly. With all the gifts God has given us, why do we question Him in what He chooses to take? Why not ask instead, "God why are you so unfair as to give me food to eat, a bed to sleep in, a beautiful baby girl, a faithful wife, a running vehicle, an honest means of income, the internet, a machine that toasts my bread?"
I'm constantly encouraged by the modern Christian song that says near the end, "He gives and takes way. He gives and takes away. So blessed be His name!" We praise Him whether He gives OR takes away. Oh how my heart breaks for the unregenerate who do not grasp this! ...even those who are saved.
I told the manager God has given us all we need in the Bible in response to another question she had. I left her my business card with a gospel message on the back. Her name is Pam. We should be praying for her. She seemed satisfied with my answers.
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