disappoint

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In Sync Is Something We should All Strive For

Being in sync is a great feeling once the sync is complete … but I tend to put the process off rather than get right at it. 

In sync is something we should all strive for

Now, some of you started reading this post thinking that I was going to be writing about the boy band, pop group from the 90’s called NSync. 

Sorry to disappoint you – this has nothing to do with that musical group at all.

What I’m writing about today is when something fits together, when it is all settled in the right spot, when something works the way it should.

You would think that is something we would strive for all the time. It should be what we want to accomplish every day and with every aspect of our life and work – to be in sync.

You may remember when you would sync your phone with your computer. You had files, videos, pictures and music on your computer and you wanted to sync it with your phone. 

We don’t do that anymore; it now syncs all on its own. Back in the day we had to do that manually. We had to plug our phone into our computer and initiate the process.

I don’t know about you but I always delayed doing it. I don’t know why; maybe I was busy. 

I know I was not the only one because now it’s an automatic process. 

For me that was just one small sync that was fixed. I have many in my life. 

I don’t like backing up my computer, and sometimes I delay that for a week or two … or three. Hey I’ve gone over a year without backing up.  

I know I should do it, but I don’t want to take the time, or I forget and remember when I don’t have the time. 

When I do complete a back up I feel good; I feel my information is safe. I’m in sync.

I want to be in sync. I just want it done for me. 

… I wish that was true with exercising. 

I’ve just completed seven days in a row of exercising – a combination of working out in my home gym and playing hockey. 

I feel really good right now. I kind of feel like my body is in sync. 

But it has been so hard some days this past week to get rowing or spinning in my gym. 

I wish it would just happen for me – you know, like I could keep going about my life and at some point look at my Apple watch and notice that all my rings were complete, that I got my steps in, burned those calories, and completed my exercise for the day. 

But I can’t. I have to decided to do it, figure out when to do it and then walk into that room and get on the equipment. 

When I’m done, I’m glad I did. I then feel in sync, like everything is in place, and I’m where I should be.

Here’s the thing: It would be nice if we could just be in sync with God, that it would just happen for us. But the reality is it doesn’t work that way. We have to do things that will keep us in sync with the Lord. We have to plan what we should do and when we will work on it, and then actually take the time to do it. Wishing you were right with God won’t change anything. You have to do something.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What could you do today to sync your life with God? Leave your comments and questions below.

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Watch Out! The Hype Can Disappoint

When the hype doesn’t match the experience, you are doubly disappointed. And I have to say, that’s how I felt after my lunch yesterday.

eggs-benedict

It was Sunday after church and Lily was in the mood to eat out. When that happens, you always jump at it! Normally she is the voice of reason, the voice of saving, the voice of “there are leftovers at home we can heat up”.

So when she threw out the suggestion, I jumped at it. I said “sure”, even before she had second thoughts and blurted out, “though we will be spending money eating out later this week”.

It was too late, however; I had already agreed to going out for lunch.

Now it was just a matter of deciding where to eat.

Lily wanted to eat at one of those places that is only open until about three in the afternoon. You know, the ones that specialize in serving breakfast to people who get up late and want to keep that sleepy feeling that it’s still morning.

It was against my better judgement to eat there but I said, “Sure, let’s go.” When we arrived there weren’t many spots in the parking lot and the line up to get in was almost out the door.

… It has got to be a great spot when people are waiting just to get breakfast food, which usually comes with very little or no meat at all.

This place was popular because it was close to 1:30 pm and it was still jammed to capacity. The good thing was that, by that time, many people were finishing up so the wait was not too long.

The atmosphere was cheery in the bright open restaurant. Its colours of yellow, green and orange gave the impression of a beautiful sunny morning.

As we took our seats, it felt like a great day to be alive. And with the sounds of happy people talking all around, I’m sure most everyone felt the same way.

The menu was filled with pictures of the food you could order. It all looked so good, and even half healthy – not like some restaurants where even the pictures of the food make you feel like it would sit in your gut like a lump till dinner time.

I had a hard time deciding if I should go with a crepe filled with fresh fruit and cream or choose a traditional egg meal.

I decided on eggs Benedict. I felt good about my decision, even when it arrived at the table. It looked great; I had high hopes. But one bite in and I was disappointed. The hollandaise sauce was bland; no taste. The very thing that makes the eggs Benedict was blah.

We could have gone home after all. Lil can make eggs Benedict astronomically better!

Here’s the thing: When you spend time with God, put aside the flashy, popular devotional guides and books that tell you what to think. It’s far better to let God shape your thoughts and responses. Grab your Bible and turn to just a verse or two. Read the verse over a couple of times, maybe even write it out. Then ask yourself a few questions like: What’s the instruction here for me? What should I praise God for in this verse? What do I need to confess to God here? What do I need to do? There will be no hype to get in the way of really hearing from God.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What have you found to be the most nourishing devotional method? Leave your comment below.