day 1124: Buffer Box

"With a prayer to God, I replied..."

Google has decided to get into the online retail business but in a very curious way.  Maybe because in this case they don't want us having to search for packages that can't be delivered, they are providing a "last mile" solution (we used to use that term in Web 1.0) to ensure that online purchased packages have a place to go when we aren't home or don't live someplace where packages can be accepted.  It is certainly one of the hassles of buying online, so setting up secure access boxes in places like highly frequented coffee shops make sense.  I don't totally understand the business behind it and why big pieces of machinery fit into Google's business model, but that's really not my business.  For the rest of us though, whether it be Buffer Boxes or Amazon's Lockers, this is good for any of our businesses that depend on consumers who choose to purchase online over physically in-store.  Also, if Google and Amazon are both into this business, then FedEx and UPS cannot be far behind.  I see this as an open distribution channel that we should be promoting and leveraging in our sales and marketing going forward. 















As we go to work today, we can be excited and have assurances that when we need God that He is always home and ready to accept whatever we have for Him.  I think of the moment that Nehemiah was asked to answer the king and before he did he threw out a quick prayer before he spoke.  Instant prayer with immediate delivery.  No buffers.  No need for an intercessory or a notification of delayed delivery. This is our God, who is right there for us at all times!  Consider this today and rejoice in His constant presence.

Reference: Nehemiah 2:4 (New Living Translation)

day 899: We Can't All Have An "Insta"

"Early the following spring, during the twentieth year of King Artxerxes' reign, I was serving the king his wine."
  
These are heady days in the tech market.  IPOs, acquisitions, high valuations, tight talent market, etc. Companies are being founded left and right and finding the money to do so with a velocity we haven't seen in 20 years (yes it has been that long since Netscape, AOL, Yahoo!, etc. hit the scene).  With this new generation and set of expectations comes the desire for speed and instant gratification, again. The recent purchase of Instagram and others who feel like overnight successes have us anxious to make things happen quickly and not miss the momentum that could come from being there first, or being in the right place at the right time. But, we aren't all going to see instant success.  In fact, only a few will, the rest will take lots of time, with many never getting there at all.  But, something about us wants it all, right now.  We have to guard against that mentality as best we can.  I ran into a friend the other evening who said that he was looking forward to his company going public in July.  He should be as the company has been at it for a long time and it isn't an overnight phenom by any measure. We are better off to sign our teams up for the long run and have them in shape to take on any distance, and if the finish line comes to us early, then feel fortunate.

Our God and our faith is not an "insta" kind of thing.  Even though we can accept Jesus and all He has to give us in an instant, the Christian life is one of continuance, endurance, commitment, and steadfastness. We learn this in many part of the Bible and the book of Nehemiah is a great example of being willing to wait and be ready for the moment when God allows us to act. Nehemiah knows what he must do but he waits a half a year until the moment is right and then he makes his request to the king.  We can take hear that not all is going to come to us instantly and that each and every day that we stay faithful, eyes fixed on Him, moving our lives and our examples towards the cross, that the rewards will be there in full abundance.  Do not give up hope.  Do not despair.  Stay strong and make today a step forward.

Reference: Nehemiah 2:1 (New Living Testament)