Steve pushed the monthly invoices across the desk toward me, then added, "If you post it early enough, it just may make it in time."

Most of our invoices are hand delivered while on the job, but there are a few that need to be sent by mail. One Company in particular requires receipt of all accounts by the 25^th of each month, or payment won't be made until the following month.

I looked at the calendar and grimaced. It was the 24^th and there was no way possible that this bill would arrive on time if sent on the due day. But, there was one other option. If I typed it quickly right there and then, I just might be able to get it in the mail before the post box was cleared for the last time that night. Glancing at the clock I knew it would be cutting it fine, but it could be done.

With fingers flying I prepared the statement then, while it was printing, added the details into the Monthly Invoice File. Like a mini tornado I whipped through the task at hand and apart from printing the first envelope upside down, the missive was very quickly signed, sealed and ready to be delivered.

Grabbing the car key from the kitchen I shouted to Steve that I was going out to post the letter.

Seemingly from out of nowhere, Matt appeared in the hallway. "Where are you going? Can I come too?"

Even when told that my trip was only to the post box, he was still eager to come. As I nodded my permission and turned toward the garage, Kylie's bedroom door flew open. "Where are you going? Can I come too?"

Her eyes were bright and sparkly at the thought of a night time drive and yet again, my explanation of the mundane trip didn't deter her at all.

In an instant, they were scattering to find shoes and in Matt's case, a shirt. Then they ran to the car, with eagerness overflowing.

Once again I made sure that they understood this was just a 2 minute drive to the post box outside the shopping center and back home again. But they honestly didn't mind. They were just delighted to be a part of the ordinary night time excursion.

I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm over something so unbelievably simple. Without a second glance they'd happily left everything else behind and run to be included in something that they considered special.

Their attitude may have made me chuckle, but it also caused me to stop and consider my own level of enthusiasm and excitement. When was the last time that I'd been so excited about anything, big or small? When was the last time that I'd dropped everything and run to something because I considered it so special?

The question hovered for a moment as I realized that in recent years I'd become a "walker". Although I still loved life, there was very little that was able to get me really excited. As I acknowledged this fact, I felt a sadness and regret wash over me. I could still remember those days when I ran fervently into almost everything that came my way.

I'd run eagerly into marriage and just as enthusiastically into becoming a mother. I'd not just run, but thrown myself wholeheartedly into my new life with Christ, and then embraced a lifestyle of serving Him.

So when did I become a laid back "walker"? When did I become that little bit too "mature" to be an exuberant runner?

Being a "walker" rather than a "runner" isn't all that bad. After all, we're still headed in the right direction and we do get to our destination eventually. But it does indicate a slowing down that if allowed to continue could end up, one day, bringing us to a complete standstill.

This dying down of enthusiasm can impact every area of our lives, but none more dangerous than our relationship with God. As Christian men and women we're called to run, not walk, straight into the Father's arms. As King Solomon recorded in Proverbs:

When it comes to our spiritual life, we really can't afford to be anything but enthusiastic, eager and ready to sprint to the safety that's found only in the presence of the Lord.

Enthusiasm for the sake of being enthusiastic is not always a good idea. It can end up with decisions being made in haste and regretted later. But an attitude that looks at life as a series of God-given opportunities just waiting to be explored and takes equal delight in small and large things, is one that we need to cultivate.

So come on, let's take off our comfy slippers, put on our track shoes, get into training and start "running"!

"Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn."

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