Frankencomputer

I work at the Help Desk of the IT Department at my school. When I took the job I had very little actual training with computers. I have always been interested in computers and have enjoyed tinkering with them numerous times, but I still had a lot to learn before I could be considered a legitimate IT worker.

In the beginning I felt so inexperienced and overwhelmed that I am sure I caused more computer problems than I was able to solve. If it hadn't been for my co-workers' ability to fix my numerous mistakes I don't know what state our department would be in currently.

But I have stuck with it and have learned the difference between a SATA and an ATA hard drive... I have learned how to install and uninstall new RAM Memory Cards... I have learned how to remove network cards from laptops and order upgrades online... I have learned how a server works and how to manage a telephone circuit room. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I am surprised at how much I now know.

Yesterday was the climax of my IT education. My boss gave me three very dysfunctional CPUs and asked that I make one functioning computer out of their. This was not going to be easy for me. I was faced with testing hard drives, swapping RAM, removing and reinstalling CD drives, disconnecting a power supply and swapping it with a new one and many other difficult obstacles.

I am sure that this task took me longer than my boss had hoped... but after many hours of tinkering I was able to push the power button on the new computer and hear it whir to life. This computer, which I have named "Frankencomputer" will always be special to me, it represents the fruit of many months of hard work.

I think that our spiritual lives are quite like trying to build a new computer. We start out with no knowledge of what we have to do... we pick up tools and advice along the way... we tinker and tinker and tinker and tinker... and then eventually we see some fruit in a new found grace or fresh outlook on life.

We are never really perfect at living a spiritual life. I will never know enough about computers to be Steve Jobs or Bill Gates... similarly, I will never be Mother Theresa or John of the Cross... but that is no excuse not to dedicate ourselves to continually learning more and more about becoming saints!

Peace turtles!