"Do not despise a gift, no matter how small it is."
African proverb
I've posted for my annual jury duty (I get called every year). Hundreds of my annoyed fellow citizens are here with me waiting to dispense justice in a less intense version of Twelve Angry Men.
I'm amazed by the number of people who come and just, well, sit. They don't bring a newspaper (if anyone reads them anymore) a puzzle book or a novel to keep them occupied. A few years ago, the courthouse in my jurisdiction started showing movies. As one of the nerds who likes to work, read email and catch up
on the latest Sudoku or crosswords, I (and a few other citizens) asked for a place free from distraction. We have "quiet" jury assembly room (I call it the nerd room) where everyone comes with a book or a computer and works or reads. We even get free Wi-Fi.
Still, my annual trek to the jury duty is still just that: "duty." I'm obligated to be here. I could be subject to imprisonment if I didn't come. (which, when there are manacled prisoners being taken by this assembly room on a fairly regular basis, seems a lot like a real threat.)
No--this is clearly a "duty." I wouldn't be here if I hadn't received a summons. But I choose to use my day of duty to clear my mind, my email cache, to read--really read--some scripture and to write a few blog posts. (Now...If only I could view dusting in the same way--then my house would be spotless!)
How often, then, do we view "duties" as necessary annoyances, instead of opportunities for growth? How often do we accept such gifts, no matter how small?
I'm amazed by the number of people who come and just, well, sit. They don't bring a newspaper (if anyone reads them anymore) a puzzle book or a novel to keep them occupied. A few years ago, the courthouse in my jurisdiction started showing movies. As one of the nerds who likes to work, read email and catch up
on the latest Sudoku or crosswords, I (and a few other citizens) asked for a place free from distraction. We have "quiet" jury assembly room (I call it the nerd room) where everyone comes with a book or a computer and works or reads. We even get free Wi-Fi.
Still, my annual trek to the jury duty is still just that: "duty." I'm obligated to be here. I could be subject to imprisonment if I didn't come. (which, when there are manacled prisoners being taken by this assembly room on a fairly regular basis, seems a lot like a real threat.)
No--this is clearly a "duty." I wouldn't be here if I hadn't received a summons. But I choose to use my day of duty to clear my mind, my email cache, to read--really read--some scripture and to write a few blog posts. (Now...If only I could view dusting in the same way--then my house would be spotless!)
How often, then, do we view "duties" as necessary annoyances, instead of opportunities for growth? How often do we accept such gifts, no matter how small?
