Sunday, December 28, 2008

She saw something in me.

I haven't posted in over a week due to the Holidays. The job search is still going, but slowly (also due to the Holidays). My family has been so blessed to recieve encouraging emails, phone calls, prayers and Yes, even checks to help ends meet. We have so many people that love us. I'm always asking "Why? What have we done that so stinkin' great?" I don't know that answer to that, but I am grateful nonetheless.
The holidays are a great time of year. I love the time of year to celebrate the birth of Jesus who saved us all. I wished everyone knew that. It's sad that some people only think its about giving and getting gifts. Don't get me wrong, we're as "American" as the next person, but I really feel sorry for those who don't stop to recognize what this season is all about. To be honest, there have been many Christmas' come and go and I would look back and think, "I don't know that I even gave Jesus' birth a thought." Sad. Very sad.
Let me talk about family for a minute. I realize that the Holidays are a time for families to get together and spending an "overabundance" of time doing nothing but eating, watching TV, playing games and working every last nerve of each other. I love my family. I have a great family, but I also have a hard time hosting anyone for very long. Heck, my family was only at my house for 8 hours and I was so ready to have the house back to myself that I was starting to actually feel ill. None of them do anything to annoy me. They are all fun and caring and low maintenance, but when I hit my hosting 'threshhold', everyone needs to leave. It's one of the many weird things about me.
Tomorrow is Monday (Dec. 29th). My 18th anniversary of being married to a very sweet, patient and wonderful wife. It's unbelievable what she has done for me and my life that I will never be able to repay or even calculate. Before meeting her, I was a total loser. I did drugs, I drank, and I had no direction in life. If I hadn't found her (or her me), I may be dead or at the very least living in a run down trailer house with nothing to look forward to but hanging out on Sundays with a bunch of other guys who never did anything with their life, watching football and drinking beer. Wait, that last part doesn't sound that bad. Anyway, I digress. Cindy saw something in me that no one else did. She saw potential. She saw more to me that I could ever see. She prayed for God to get ahold of me and change the desires of my heart. And HE did. It took about 8 or 9 years, but God turned me in a different direction. I may not be the greatest, most gifted, smartest or best looking guy in the world, but I have someone who loves me a lot and two of the greatest children in the world because of her. Sure, we've had some rocky times and still go through some rough patches, but we also know that we have to work it out becuase we have a lot more years in front of us. So, we'd better learn to compromise and love each other despite our "less than perfect ways" or it will seem a lot longer than it is. She's a keeper. I only hope that I am worth keeping as well. Bunny, thanks for 18 great years. I Love You.
Well, as the Cowboy game is getting ready to begin, I will close.

Until tomorrow, remember - "A faith not tested, is no faith at all".

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Lord Loves a Workin' Man.

Well, it's day three on my search. Still very excited about the opportunities out there. I know that someone is just waiting for a guy like me to come in an sweep them off their feet (or something like that). I am still very motivated to call everyone I can to uncover new opportunities.
I know that I should continuously refer back to scripture and meditate on verses that will assure me that God is in control - and I do. However, I can't keep from thinking back to a line from "The Jerk" when Steve Martin recited what his Dad (a poor black sharecropper) taught him. It was simply, "The Lord loves a Workin' Man." I know that this is a bit shallow, but God does love to see us be diligent in everything we do. If I am working hard on finding work, I know that he'll bless that. He knows my heart. He knows what I need. He knew that I'd be laid off long before I did. He is prepared for this and wants me to let him run with it. OK God. Here you go! It's all yours.
I am still stunned and overwhelmed at all of the great people (some of whom I haven't spoken to in years) that are sending me contacts of people who are looking to hire or recruiters who might be able to help. Thanks to everyone.
Yesterday, my pastor asked me to have lunch with him. He was very encouraging. He assured me that things will turn out fine if I trust in God. It was a great time with him. We have been friends since the beginning of the church. But, the church got big and continues to grow. It's been a great time watching the progress of our little "house" church. The only problem with the growth is that Ross (my pastor) is so busy "tending his flock" that it's hard to hang out with him any more. I love him and still consider him a friend, but spending time with him is rare. I was very happy to spend a couple of hours with him. Anyway, while waiting for him at the church yesterday, a very dear friend, Melissa, was at the church waiting for someone and this gave us time to talk. She too, was very encouraging. She said something that was very sweet. She said, "I want you to know that I'll still be there for you in 3 weeks." She explained that people will pour out their love and prayers for the first few days becuase we are fresh on their mind, but that they will soon go back to their lives and forget. (this is not a slight on any of my friends. It's just way people are. Me included). But, she said that she'll wait for the first line of friends to subside and fall in behind and pick up the ball and run. That was very sweet. But, you know, I'll bet that we have friends that will keep us in their prayers until we are back on our feet. We have unusual friends in that, they love us so much that they will not forget.
Well, back to work. I have a busy day ahead of me.
Remember - "The Lord loves a workin' man."

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Shocking news!

Well, my plan for this blog is to post funny things that I find in life and odd things that I run into on a daily basis. However, in the past two days, my life has taken somewhat of a different turn which is keeping me from seeing as many "funny" things. I, along with so many other Americans have fallen victim to the sagging economy. I was told on Monday that my job as a Sales Rep had been eliminated. Wow! What a great way to start the Holiday season! Merry Christmas!

That being said, I refuse to let this get me down. This is a chance for me to show my faith in God and not worry about tomorrow. I have always heard this told to me and read it myself in the Bible. Now its time for me to prove my faith and let God take the reins. God knew a long time ago that this day was coming. This was not a surprise to him. The Bible says that takes care of even the sparrows, so why wouldn't he take care of me and my family. He will! I have to believe that. And I do!

The outpouring of well wishers has been tremendous these past two days. My family has a lot of people who love us and would do anything for us. What a comfort to know that. I know how my heart aches when I hear of someone who is in my position and how much I want to help. Now that I am the person in that position, I know that there are others who have the same heart.

My son, Nik, is taking this harder than anyone. He is so afraid that we might lose our house. But, I've assured him that we will be fine. This is great opporunity to teach him about my faith in God and show him how we are to surrender to Him daily. Life lessons are hard, but they are so effective and necessary.

I am working diligently for work today and am simply taking a break to put my thoughts in print. I don't expect anyone will ever find this post, but it will help me journal through this chapter in my life.

Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Let's get started

I have always thought that it would be neat to Blog. I have read others and many times thought that some of these people are brilliant. Some of witty and funny. Some are very intellectual. Some are thought provoking. And, some are nothing but self serving.
I don't know what I want mine to look like. I don't really expect anyone to read it. I just want to journal some of the things that I notice in life. I want to talk about my family, my friends and just write things that make me laugh.
If anyone ever finds this blog...

...I ain't promisin' nothing.