Dilemma with a Juice Machine...

Dilemma with a Juice Machine...

So, anyone who knows me understands that no day is boring normalcy. I'm always having some type of adventure or dilemma (usually a laughable experience). So the other day after class I decided to buy some OJ from the vending machine.

My next class was in an hour so I thought that it would be great to just relax in the hallway with some fashion magazines (my not so secret weakness) and some sweet goodness of vitamin C. (Or orange juice) $1.25 was pretty expensive for a small bottle of OJ. Especially for a college student like me, always digging through laundry or behind furniture for extra change. But I was thirsty, so I pulled out a dollar and slid it into the machine. Then I took a quarter and pushed it in the change slot and waited for the clink it would make as it hit the bottom.

There was no clink. I must have waited for like 10 seconds!

Almost as quickly as I realized I might have lost my $1.25 forever, and get nothing in return, my hand was reaching towards the return change button. I rapidly pushed the button several times and rose to a slight panic as I realized that getting this OJ was going to take a lot of effort, or I was just gonna be broke and thirsty.

I quickly glanced sideways to see if anyone was around and debated as to what I could do next. Either walk away or fight for my OJ and $1.25

I decided to stay and fight.

With that I started to bang my hand against the slot where my quarter went, figuring the slot was jammed up. I bent down and glared into the quarter slot. Sure enough there were about six quarters jammed inside. I banged harder.

Being unsuccessful in my banging attempts, I took a couple steps back and threw my body against the machine, hoping to rattle the jam loose. Nothing. I tried my body slam again to no avail.

Suddenly I heard someone laughing, I turned around and saw some guy who had come down to get a drink out of the same machine and had caught a glimpse of my struggle. I must have looked pretty pathetic, because he walked up with a sympathetic smile and rocked the juice machine back and forth. Something I was too small to do.

Smiling I thought "Now, I'm gonna get my OJ!" Ya, no such luck. Turning around he smiled and shrugged his shoulders. I thanked him as he left and turned to face the machine. It was just Me against It now.

I got out my keys and pushed one into the slot to jiggle around inside. I did this forever!! Don't ask me why, it's amazing what a college student will do for a quarter. At least one as broke as I am. While my key was shifting quarters one slid out of the slot into my hand. 5 min. later I decided to forfeit my dollar and walk away.

I sat in the hall frustrated from losing the struggle and more thirsty than before. As I opened my magazine I realized how much life can be like this dilemma with the juice machine. We invest so much into our choices, relationships and so many other things, hoping to get something of more or equal value in return.

But many times we get back less than we gave, if anything. When that happens who doesn't get angry or frustrated? Who doesn't struggle with resentment and bitterness?

Although these instances are many, there is one investment that is priceless and you can invest everything you are into this and find that you will receive more than you ever thought possible!

That investment is choosing to live in God. I have definitely found that investing in this has given me the strength and open mindedness to not become discouraged when what I invest in down here in this world doesn't work out.

I choose to invest in God instead of worldly things because life is so unpredictable and who wants to struggle with the juice machines their whole lives? Putting God first has given me the security in knowing that if I am angry He will help me not hurt others, if I am sad He will be my comfort, and if my heart is broken He will fix it faster and better than I could fix it myself.

Yes, I struggle. But most of my struggles are not unnecessary. They help me grow. Sure some choices I make down here as far as relationships, school and careers may not go so well.

But by making God first in my life, I realize that I may not get that OJ I had previously paid for and I may have to forfeit my dollar, but the water fountain around the corner will always be running with cool refreshing water, it's free and is better for your body anyhow.