My week in a poorly constructed sentence:
Drunk Neighbor, Money Shortage, Jumper Cables, Bad Sequels, Deep Personal Insight, and a Tan.

Why do people feel the need to drown out their pain and feeling at the sacrifice of those they care the most about, like their kids, for example? I have always been a somewhat critical person and always been very vocal about my feelings and my actions. But, I find that in my current situation, the action I feel I should take most is the one I hesitate the most to do. It is never as easy as you make it out to when it effects peoples lives forever. (Father, give me guidance as you know the cry of my heart!)

There has been a large amount of commotion at work lately, as we are having quit a few staffing changes that have stirred up the pot. Many positions have become available and many more people are vying for them. We have lost several people over the last month or so, many as transfers, and some that found better opportunities. I may even be experiencing a change depending on what our new store manager decides. (Change is welcome!)

My vehicle loves to make noises at me, the problem is it makes noises at me even when there is nothing wrong. So, when I get out of my car and it beeps at me I don't think to check and make sure I turned my lights off. That makes it all the more fun, when after a long day at work and having walked across a long parking lot in 100+ degree temps, when I get to my car to go home and it is dead. Well that means I have to make a trip back across the long hot parking lot, back in the store I thought I had just left, and off to find someone willing to give me a jump. Thankfully, the store has a set of cables I can use. (Thank You Mike, even though I know you are not reading this!)

Money is always tight so what more can I say about that?

Yeah, the new Mummy movie was not my pick of the week. Not only did they change the lead female actress, they also chose supporting cast and the new lead actress that had no chemistry which made for a very fake feeling movie. Jet Lee can not carry a movie on his own, at least not this one. Also, there was a very defined change of pace and much less realistic backdrop to this film which, combined with a lack of subject context that reminded me of the scorpion king, made for a very flat movie overall. Save your money, catch it on NetFlix in a few months.

A friend shared with me a deep personal insight this week that made much more clear to me some of the background to their personality. I feel like I understand this person better than I did, I feel honored that they found me a good enough friend to share it with me. As much as I at times try to deny it, I really do Love people. I have this deep intrinsic desire to know about, connect with, and interact with people. Not like when people say they are social, more like when you say a person has deeply impacted your life. These types of realizations continue to encourage my feelings that I may one day become a priest. (Father God, I am lost without you so continue to direct my path!)

I have spent a great number of hours over the last week in the community pool and man is my tan looking good. Another week of this and I will be the darkest I have been since JROTC boot camp.

Well that was my week! I do intend to update more frequently in the future in a similar fashion to this current post.

When was the last time you considered the fact that you are not alone as you read this?  No, I don’t mean in that slasher film kind of alone; I’m talking about the fact that no matter where you go you or what you do you are never completely alone.  I had not given this much thought in a very long time until very recently.  I know that the Lord as an omni- present God is everywhere, but sometimes we miss the real point.  Jesus is with you now, in your heart, in your body, along side you, waiting for you to speak to him. Even more than speaking to him, he waiting for you to listen to what he has to say.

 

In the same way that the disciples walked along side Jesus in the flesh before he sacrificed himself for our sins, he walks along side us with every step we take. Because of this we can have that same relationship with him his followers had. Through the Eucharist, Christ nourishes our body and soul. He is in us as body, blood, soul, and divinity, which makes him perfectly present with us in every way.

 

Ok, so we walk with Jesus, but do we talk to him, or even better do we ever shut-up and let him speak to us.  Christ Jesus wants to speak into the darkness that surrounds us, he wants to guide us according to his will, but if we have rock star syndrome we can be to busy getting the autograph and the t-shirt and may miss the backstage pass.  We focus so much on this prolific figure of God sitting on the great white throne, we miss the Nazarene carpenter carrying us through the storm.

 

Try talking to him today, not as if he is miles away in the clouds, but as if he was within reach of a whisper.  He is Savior and Lord, but he is also Friend and Brother. Talk to him today like you would a friend. Make the time to get to know him in a new way, and maybe you will learn to listen.          

 

Maybe I will learn to listen.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It is hard to believe that it is that time of year once again.  I can remember last year very clearly and it seems like only yesterday.  But, much has changed it that short span of time.  Most surprising to me is that I find myself thankful to God for the hardest parts of my life. 

This is my first Thanksgiving without my wife, and as I reflect on the year I see only more reasons to praise God and be thankful for being my rock and my shelter.  He has given me strength of faith to rely on him even when life seems hopeless.  Every day I think of all the reasons of why I should be sad and miserable, but instead think of all the ways God has carried me through.  I think of those who know nothing of real love, and then I think of the true love of God that sustains me. Even in the hardest times, when I felt most afraid and alone, I now know that it was God that held me in his arms. 

The first night after Emily told me that she did not love me any more; I called my mom, sobbing in tears feeling as though my heart had been wrenched from my chest. As I gasped for air and for hope my mother did the only thing she knew to. She lifted her voice, and her heart, in prayer to the Lord for me, and in some small way, with me.  In that moment, I regained my breath and felt warmth around me.  As I lay there with the phone pressed to my face I felt the spirit of God holding me like a blanket. 

These are the moments that I give thanks for! My mother and father, sister, and dear friends that counseled me and comforted me are who I give thanks for!  My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father, and the comforter, the Holy Spirit is who I put my faith in.

God has helped me to overcome despair, hopelessness, heartache, and loneliness. God has given me a glimpse of my future and has had his hand on my life.  I am growing in faith, in knowledge, in experience, in maturity, and in wisdom. But, none of this is to boast, and none of this is of my doing.  All of this is solely for the purpose of giving Glory and Honor, and Thanks to my Savior and Lord.

 

May God bless all of you and keep his hand upon you. Happy Turkey Day!