Who Reads Instructions?
Certainly not I -- at least not all of them. I was so angry with myself Friday afternoon. Approximately a few weeks ago an intra office memo went out to all staff through our e-mail account, inviting us to a birthday party for our CEO who is turning 40. He is such a nice personable person and I really like him; therefore, I was looking forward to attending his birthday party. The night before, I went out and got some little "over-the-hill" type gag gifts and a humorous card.
The invitation had been sent out to us several times reminding us not to forget the party. I knew the time and the date so on Friday, I mapped out my plans -- I would go to the store on the way to the southeast branch of the company I work for. I work in one of the west side branches and it takes at least 15 minutes to get from one to the other. I went to the store and purchased a pecan pie, which was on sale. All the time I was planning to myself things I would say to tease the CEO about turning 40. I got to the Southside branch at about 11:20 and the party started at 11:15. Oh five minutes late, not bad. I went into the office and spoke to the receptionist who looked sort of puzzled and began chatting with me. She then asked what I was doing out there and I said to attend the CEO's party. She looked at me sort of puzzled and told me it wasn't there, it was in fact at one of the other west side locations. I then remembered that I had not read the whole flyer we received but only part of it and just assummed it was on the Southside. I was "hot" but had no one else to be mad at but myself. I argued with myself all the way back to the west side and was almost an hour late. It was a fun party and everything turned out well.
Another incident was when I decided to make some hot cereal in the micro-wave. Again I didn't read the instructions, saying there wasn't enough time to do so; therefore, I guessed at how much cereal and water, etc. to put in the bowl and started the oven going. When I heard the bell go off, I went to the kitchen, and took out the cereal. It was hard as a brick. Again, I ruffled my feathers about not following instructions. I believe he Lord gave me a moral to this story. Instructions are given to us so that we will not make mistakes and have to pay the consequences. He gave us the best book of instructions ever which tells us how to live a full, healthy wholesome and most of all Spiritual life; but we must read all of the instructions and follow them to a "T" and the outcome will become eternal life.
The invitation had been sent out to us several times reminding us not to forget the party. I knew the time and the date so on Friday, I mapped out my plans -- I would go to the store on the way to the southeast branch of the company I work for. I work in one of the west side branches and it takes at least 15 minutes to get from one to the other. I went to the store and purchased a pecan pie, which was on sale. All the time I was planning to myself things I would say to tease the CEO about turning 40. I got to the Southside branch at about 11:20 and the party started at 11:15. Oh five minutes late, not bad. I went into the office and spoke to the receptionist who looked sort of puzzled and began chatting with me. She then asked what I was doing out there and I said to attend the CEO's party. She looked at me sort of puzzled and told me it wasn't there, it was in fact at one of the other west side locations. I then remembered that I had not read the whole flyer we received but only part of it and just assummed it was on the Southside. I was "hot" but had no one else to be mad at but myself. I argued with myself all the way back to the west side and was almost an hour late. It was a fun party and everything turned out well.
Another incident was when I decided to make some hot cereal in the micro-wave. Again I didn't read the instructions, saying there wasn't enough time to do so; therefore, I guessed at how much cereal and water, etc. to put in the bowl and started the oven going. When I heard the bell go off, I went to the kitchen, and took out the cereal. It was hard as a brick. Again, I ruffled my feathers about not following instructions. I believe he Lord gave me a moral to this story. Instructions are given to us so that we will not make mistakes and have to pay the consequences. He gave us the best book of instructions ever which tells us how to live a full, healthy wholesome and most of all Spiritual life; but we must read all of the instructions and follow them to a "T" and the outcome will become eternal life.
posted by The Gig at 8:27 PM
5 Comments:
This is good. I do the same thing. I rush and read thinking I have the time and mind to figure things out quicker than reading the instructions, each time messing up. Sometimes I do the same thing with applications and have to restart. I like how you used this to discuss the reading of the Word. I know it is the instructions given but most of the time failed to pick it up and read it on a daily basis. I have to get better.
Rose - I know you will get better. The Lord will continue to work with you as he does with me. I also need to read the word on a daily basis.
I do believe we have all done this many times in our lives. It's tough when we have to learn the consequences the hard way, but I do believe the Lord lets us learn in that way.
But, following the directions is always a good thing. We need to follow MANY of the instructions God gives us, because I know at least I fail in many ways. If only I'd take the time to read them. *sighs*
What a great post, Mz. Gig. It reminded me about my own life. Thank you.
great story, great message. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to hear you went through all of that. I did something similar except in my case I was going on a job interview and I went to the wrong branch office! I wonder if that had anything to do with me not getting the job. :)
I think we have to be careful when we talk about following God's instructions because it is not by works that we are saved. Instead we should follow His instructions out of love for Him and appreciation of the sacrifice He made for us. We don't work to be saved. We are saved by grace and so we work.
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