February 11, 2019
Inspiration for this week’s post came in a most peculiar fashion. Many Seinfeld fans may be familiar with the J. Peterman Company. Most assume it was a fictitious company where Elaine Benes worked, but it was based on an actual company. They produce a catalog called the Owner’s Manual and ship it across the globe. In this catalog, one will find “unique, authentic, romantic, wondrous, and excellent” finds that will make a person want to go on a journey.
I stumbled upon this catalog years ago and used it in my high school English class to teach descriptive writing. I hadn’t received an Owner’s Manual in a while, but one came in the mail on Saturday and I opened it with a smile as I read the glamorous descriptions meant to entice one to buy the fanciful clothing.
I read through the philosophy of the company and was struck by the last line, “Clearly, people want things that make their lives the way they wish they were.” BOOM! There it was in black and white. Like a dagger to the heart. Truth sometimes smacks one in the face.
Of course, I brushed off this stinging accusation and thought that this message must be for someone else. I didn’t sit down to write on Sunday night like I usually do. I didn’t return to the catalog even though I knew there was some truth in it I was supposed to unravel. However, Monday morning I threw the catalog into my bag and vowed I would browse through it at work if I got a free minute.
It was a fairly quiet morning and the students were mostly doing their work, so I opened the catalog and read the philosophy again. Again, I tried to deflect and thought I would do some research about the company to find out if it was legit. It seemed like a lost concept in this crazy, internet-obsessed world to have hand-drawn product pictures and elaborate descriptions. Surely this company had more to it than just mail-order expensive clothes.
What I found was a virtual treasure chest of wisdom and advice. I found an article John Peterman wrote for the Harvard Business Review in 1999 titled, “The Rise and Fall of the J. Peterman Company.” It turns out John Peterman started the company with a five-hundred-dollar investment and the purchase of a cowboy duster. He grew the company from the ground up into a multi-million dollar success. But then, after a series of missteps, the company was bought out in 1999 by Paul Harris. His story doesn’t end there, though. Paul Harris Stores went bankrupt and eventually, Peterman was able to repurchase his company.
As I was reading about Peterman’s life and business I kept trying to figure out what it was that I was supposed to share. I was totally “geeking” out about how fascinating this man is–his early start as a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, his selling everything from pineapples to dog food, his dedication and drive to start a business of his own, the rise and fall and then rise again of his company–something there had to hold some magical nugget of wisdom that I just needed to share.
But that line from his philosophy kept tugging at my subconscious. I knew I was being convicted about something, but I wasn’t ready to face it. Our God is so gracious, He let me keep spinning my wheels while He pricked my heart. “Clearly, people want things that make their lives the way they wish they were.”
I’ve always had a vivid imagination. I can create an entire movie of events in my head. Sometimes it is easier to live in that fantasy world than the real world because I can control the outcomes. My life hasn’t turned out the way I had imagined. I never thought I would be a widow at 42 and that I would lose my belongings when my house flooded. I could easily live out that tragedy and have people feel sorry for me. I think most people would give me a free pass to not engage fully in life right now. But that is not what God has in store for me.
I also can’t replace things for people and actually living my life. As I’m in the process of rebuilding my house, I find myself wanting to build myself a sanctuary that I never have to leave. If I am surrounded by all the things I love and enjoy, then I never have to seek any relationship outside of my small bubble.
I know God has given me gifts and talents. It would be a waste to keep those to myself as I sit and fantasize about how things could be or how I wish they were. I am still grieving and healing, but God is patient.
Most people wish life came with a beautiful owner’s manual such as the J. Peterman catalog. The Bible is that owner’s manual. His Word is alive and active and can still be applied to our lives today. We need to be hearers and do-ers of the Word.
The Sunday Girl 