shift.

shift: (noun) a scheduled period of work or duty.


shift: (transitive verb) to change the place, position, or direction of : move. b) to make a change in place.


I had the privilege of opening the pool at the Y in town this morning.  By privilege, I mean the "exciting" job of waking up at 5:15 in the morning to watch people swim back and forth for six hours.  It's far from thrilling, but it's a job, so I can't complain too much.  


So.  Couldn't sleep last night-tried for over 2 hours and finally got there somewhere around midnight.  This morning was pretty rough, needless to say.  I went through my normal morning shift routine of bumping into things in the dark trying to leave the house, stopping by Sheetz to pick up two Cokes to get me through the morning, and dragging into the Y right at 5:45.  Unlocked everything, checked the chemicals, and sat in my chair.  A few swimmers came in.  The usual.


And then Iris came in. Iris Lehman is a member of our FBC church family.  She comes to swim laps with her son Larry around 7:30 a few mornings a week.  She's 89 years old and still able to swim more than some 20 year olds.  Whenever she comes in, she always makes an effort to come over and talk to me before getting in the water.  She never ceases to put a smile on my face and wake me right up-she's got the best sense of humor I've ever seen in someone.  Sometimes, we'll only talk when she comes in and leaves.  Sometimes, she'll tell me stories about when she was younger.  Today, we talked about why so much dust accumulates in a single person's home so quickly.  The topic never matters, and the amount of time we talk is also of negligible value; what's important to me is her presence.


Iris emits the most beautiful sunshine into a room.  I've never seen her upset or down about anything.  She always laughs at everything and talks about what a great morning it is and how great the cold water feels and how wonderful her swim is.  She chooses her attitude, even at 7:30 in the morning; she lives joyfully and without reservation.  It's inspiring to be around.


This morning, at the same time that Iris and Larry were swimming laps, a couple and her mother were also in the pool.  They weren't swimming laps, however.  They were standing in the corner of the pool area.  The daughter/wife would look out onto the fitness floor, find something (or someone) to laugh about, tell her mother, and they would begin to laugh and make fun of whatever they were looking at.  I could tell they were gossiping by their gestures and overall demeanor (my job is watching people-I've learned to tell when they're talking about someone), although I didn't listen to what they were saying.  I began to feel uncomfortable sitting on the stand, watching that take place.  I suppose it brought back memories of middle school or some other insecurity of mine, but I think what really unsettled me was the stark contrast between Iris and these women.  


Don't get me wrong; I'm not suggesting that these women were "bad people" and that we should judge them for their behavior.  I think we're all guilty of gossiping or talking about someone when they aren't around.  I'm merely observing that this morning, two sets of people woke up.  Those same two sets of people chose to come to the Y and get in the pool.  One swam, laughed, visited with friends, and single-handedly changed my morning from mediocre to beautiful.  One stood in the water, laughing at someone, spending over an hour discussing the faults of other people and what was wrong with the world.  One left feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.  One left probably not much better off than they entered.


How often do we live life like the second set of people?  How often do we stand in the deep end of life, turned inward, pointing out what is wrong with other people and the world we live in, hoping to appease our own insecurities and uncertainties?  We have a choice.  We have the opportunity to choose to live joyfully today, not lingering on our own strength, or on how wonderful the world we live in is (while there are many wonderful things to behold here on earth, we also know there are many atrocities too despicable to recount as well), but by rejoicing in Christ's strength and God's love.  These things will never disappoint or leave us feeling empty.  It may not be the way you imagined it, but Christ will meet you where you are and move you forward if you "simply" (or not-so-simply) make the effort to live joyfully, showing others the love of Christ and the great joy of serving God through your very presence in that moment.


What are your thoughts about this?  Do you have any examples of people who truly exemplify some aspect of Christ-like living in your own lives?  Hope everyone's having a great week. :)