Story Line

November 26, 2008 in Life with 2 Comments

It's early this Wednesday, but you and I are already writing our story line for the day.  Your story line is that narrative that you and I bring to every day we live.

I was tempted to complain about the snow today.

In my view, it's about three weeks too early. It snowed a bunch last night, just like the night before.  I had to fire up my snowblower. The snow from yesterday was still inside the chute and intake system (what's that thing that scoops up the snow called?) and it froze up, so I had to hand dig all that frozen icy snow out of my snowblower.  Then after five minutes of snowblowing the snowblower ran out of gas.  The cars were frozen over too, so I had to chisel them out….

My guess is that reading the paragraph above didn't energize you, it drained you.  That's the point.

Complaining belongs in the circular file – cross shredded and even burned. 

Complaining is something I want to banish from my personality.  So I'm writing this post to remind myself that it's just not helpful in any way.  It's not.  Stop.  Cease.  Desist.

The trees were gorgeous this morning, did you see that?  Ice and snow.  Kind of looks like Christmas.  I love that.  Bet I could get the car cleared off for Toni if I went out there now….

Much better story line.  Besides, the people who see the opportunity and the possibility often are the ones who seize the opportunity and the possiblity. 

What's your story line today?

About Carey Nieuwhof: Carey Nieuwhof is lead pastor of Connexus Community Church and author of the best selling books, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Carey speaks to North American and global church leaders about change, leadership, and parenting.

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  • http://www.caseyr.wordpress.com Casey Ross

    I just started reading The 4:8 Principle. Looks like it will be a quick read, but an important and life-changing read if I apply it. It has a lot to do with what you're talking about. So often, we choose our story line by our thinking. The question is…what will I choose to think about today?

  • Jen

    Hmmm, wondering if you mean the auger. I fired up my snowblower this morning….I hate it. I have a large, powerful machine that all my neighbours are jealous for but it's too big and intimidating for me. I'll take a shovel any day. But..if you ask my back, it seems to like the snowblower better. :o)

    Ya know, if I ask anyone who hates Winter why they hate it, 100% of the time they respond with "the cold". I say bundle up, quit complaining, and embrace it. We live here and it sure is a gorgeous season. And if you need help enjoying it, I'll send over my son, Peyton…he loves the snow, he loves to shovel (especially if you throw in a toonie), and to see the pure enjoyment on his face is enough to make anyone throw on some long underwear, a silly toque, and a pair of snowpants just to build a snowman with him. Almost all of us loved snow when we were kids…let's think about that.

    On a side note, do you think there's snow in Heaven? Maybe I won't wear my best dress in my coffin but a snowmobile suit. Guess it depends on what season it is when I die. K, just kidding, don't take me too seriously. lol