“I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:3-6

One day last week my daughter brought a box in from out on the porch, a UPS delivery, and by her excitement, I knew what it was – free gifts (rewards) for her successful sales.  Along with going to college, Jenny works part-time at Elder-Beerman's department store selling Lancome cosmetics.

“I love my job!”

Jenny has worked a number of different jobs, and I’ve never seen her as positive or excited about any of them as she has been the past two years working the cosmetics counter.  She comes home excited about making sales and hitting her goals.  She stays late (‘off the clock’) and comes home excited about having helped someone by giving them a make-over, getting someone ready for a prom or wedding.  And then there are these boxes on the porch which really make her day – free gifts of make-up.

Admittedly, I do not understand the high cost of make-up or Jenny's interest in this product.  Not like I would if it were a pound of catfish stink bait, anyway. 

But I do understand the excitement that causes her to declare, "I love my job!"  It stands out to me most that while I know Jenny likes to earn money and get paid, she does not come home with her paycheck and exclaim, “I love my job!”  It is these ‘other things’ that accompany her task, and the ‘free gift’ which bring this special joy.  And in that, Jenny has helped me realize at the end of this challenging yet very enjoyable school year what truly makes my joy complete at Christ Lutheran.