A Day in Life at the Office

Do you ever wonder what happens at the CEF office during those weeks when we are not teaching Good News Club® or having Day Camp? Well, wonder no more.

It was one of those days in early January. The day was looking hopeful. The holidays were over and we were preparing for the training class for our volunteers. And that was how far it got before the trouble began!

Shelley, in an effort to shorten the shortcut between the files on my computer and hers, accidently deleted the shortcut all together. Thankfully, the panic did not last long, and she was soon able to restore the lost shortcut. But just as we were beginning to relax again, we heard sighs and moans coming from the treasurer’s cubicle signaling Cathy’s ongoing battle with one of the computer programs. Thankfully, a member of the committee was at the office that day working on the building and had a better understanding of that program, and was able to help.

That committee member and a volunteer were in the basement of the office, having found where the mice were entering the building. During our lunch break they were cleaning out the huge nest the mice had built and were giving us the details. Thankfully for us, this meant that (hopefully) the mice that had left their evidence on our counters, in our drawers, and even in our craft supplies, were no longer going to be a problem.

After lunch, I was copying and folding the registration forms that would be delivered to the schools for the spring semester clubs. The folding machine was being a little contrary, so I was trying to be gentle with it, not giving it too many papers at a time to fold. I wasn’t worried about the slower pace since the copier was busy catching up to me. When I heard the copier beeping, I assumed it needed more paper.

Instead, across it’s screen was written,

“Turn off machine. Unplug machine. Call maintenance.”

With 2000 or more forms yet to be printed, this was not a pleasant message. How long would it take to get maintenance here? Thankfully, maintenance arrived within 24 hours. All the forms were able to be copied and delivered on time. And thankfully, Jerusha avoided any calamities that day!

God’s work is not always what we expect. It is sometimes mundane and even frustrating. Jesus wasn’t always teaching and healing; He was making breakfast on a fire, working in carpentry, walking on the road, and going to a friend’s house for supper. And I imagine he had to fix his broken sandals at times, gather grain for bread, mend a fishing net, or clean out a boat.

None of these were wasted moments. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus told the Father that He had done the work God had prepared for Him (John 17:4). Every moment can be God’s work.

What work has God prepared for you today?

-Linda

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