Enthusiasm

I saw a little quote awhile back and I liked it so well that I wrote it on my bathroom mirror.  I have no idea who said it first.

Not especially profound, but a good principle.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.  Ecclesiastes 9:10

I'm not a particularly enthusiastic person.  Enthusiasm requires energy and like many people, I am essentially lazy.  Plus, there's nothing inherently exciting in getting up in the same room you've lived in for 7 years and going through the usual motions of daily living.

However, I recently realized that my favorite people in this world are the enthusiastic ones.  Whether it's enthusiasm about missile simulation (who knew, right?), knots, chickens, planes, theology, books (I love it when I find someone who's enthusiastic about books!), or autism awareness, it spills out and carries everything in it's path down a waterfall of excitement.

And I love it.  I love being caught up in someone else's enjoyment of life.  Other than books, I don't have that many things which I become gushingly effervescent about.

But I should!

I live in a beautiful place.  We're in the rainy season and it's gorgeous right now.

I have an insane family.  In a good way :)  You never know what's going to happen in any given week.  A baby might start walking, someone might lose a tooth, or there might be an excuse for a sleep over.

I have 5 pets.  That one might sound really petty and silly, but I've come to really enjoy my animals.  I like waking up because the dog is snoring or the cat walked on my head.

I have running water, fresh food, and electricity (yay, air conditioning!).

I have some great friends, some of whom are reading this.  

And best of all, I belong to the Good Shepherd.   That's pretty exciting on multiple levels:

• A shepherd guides his sheep.  I don't have to walk by what I feel to be right, I don't have to guess.  The Right way is before me.
• A shepherd protects his sheep.  I can't be snatched out of His hand.
• A shepherd cares for his sheep.  He provides bountifully and faithfully.

It's exciting to know that I'm not just down here, wanderin' around, just doin' whatever, hopin' everything all works out.

NO!  Jesus died to save us!  There is no room for apathy in that thought!  I'm on a mission, you're on a mission, we haven't time to be bored!  The night is far spent, the day is at hand!  Wake up and get busy!

And on the energy of all those exclamation points, I'm going to go wash the floor!  :)