This is one of those moments in my life where I feel so full of gratitude and contentment that I just want to tell someone, and I thought, why not share it here?

So let me tell you about my last few days. As you know, I've been working for a company called Advanced Problem Solutions. It's run by Rod Brace, who is my uncle's brother. (yes I know, you're doing the whole O_o face. His brother married my dad's sister. Clear as mud? Ok) I started in January when I moved over here to Ankeny, and for the first three months or so, I was able to average over 50 hours a week. It's been crazy fun, both with what the job is and who my boss is. The job is repair and construction on pretty much anything. Rod has all the master's licenses in Iowa, which translates into him basically being good at everything. Couple that with his attitude toward life, which is "pedal to the metal, never let fear or common sense slow you down, eat and sleep when you're dead, live life and love God to the fullest," and I had my work cut out for me to be able to keep up. I set my mind to the task and poured my energy into it, and I've learned a whole bunch of stuff about a whole bunch of stuff I never thought of before. It's been a blast!

And then about three weeks ago or so, he started not having as much for me to do. Which is understandable, of course. A lot of the work he does is refrigeration, and to be able to keep up, I have to be certified in refrigeration, which I'm not, and it takes a long time to get certified. And he just honestly didn't have time to find work for me to do, with my somewhat limited skills. So the last three weeks have been really boring, honestly. I've had some work, but not enough to keep me busy, and one thing I've grown to hate is just sitting on my hands. I want my time to be profitable, and I've had less than 40 hours in the last 3 weeks combined. 

Which also tends to hurt the ole' financial area too, ya know? It hit me all of a sudden, "um, those numbers are getting depleted really quickly..." And over the course of a few days, things were sort of starting to look a bit bleak. I had a job that wasn't able to give me hours and bills were coming due. Bills. . . . haven't had too many of those before. Amazing how different it is when you really don't have Dad and Mom to fall back on. I spoke last night in church from James 1:5-8, and James really spoke into my situation.

He says in verse 5 that if we lack wisdom, the solution is to simply ask the God who gives so liberally and without grudging. He has both the means and the desire to give us the riches of his wisdom, and all we need to do is ask. Ask in faith, with no doubting, James tells us. Boiled down:

Pray dangerously. 

In the first few verses, James tells us to count it as good when trials come into our lives. Choose to see beyond the circumstances that are clamoring for our attention, look past that and remember the reason they come, and that is this: the testing of our faith produces patience, and patience over time will bring you to maturity. And then in the verses right after that, he says to ask for that. 

wait...

Ask. . . for the trials? For the testing? Umm, not sure I want to do that, James. Okay, I want wisdom, but I'm not sure God knows what He's doing when it comes to what I really actually need in order to get that wisdom, you know? God, well, he likes to give me things that are, well . . . hard :/ 
And James, in his quiet manner, tells us to ask in faith, without doubting. Don't doubt, my brothers, that God knows what he's doing. And it's important for you to become mature. It's important for you to grow closer to God, but God uses what he chooses to accomplish that, and you can trust that the God of the universe is the God who is near. He loves you, and will only ever give you what is best for you. Not what is easiest---what is best. 

And while I was in the preparation to speak on that last night, I remembered that, oh yeah, I prayed a prayer like that a few weeks ago. Yes, I prayed that God would teach me how to trust in Him more fully, how to not be dependent on the correct lining up of my circumstances to have solidity in my life. And at some point or another, that I would learn financial discipline. 

God has a way of not answering that request right away. Funny, how a request for patience doesn't come right away. But I realized that I had prayed for that, and I believe the last couple of weeks have been an answer to that. God uses means to accomplish his will, not lightning zaps. He uses people and circumstances to teach us things that would probably just get lost in the busyness of life if we just realized them. Sometimes, God can be annoying. He likes to interrupt MY life. He likes to mess up the neat plans I make and pull me out of my comfort zone. Oh, I think that was what else I prayed. God, don't let me stay in my comfort zone. 

Pray dangerously, my friend. 

Because God also has a way of blessing that prayer, and when you look back, you also will find that He isn't a God who skimps. Remember? Ask of God who gives liberally. 

I was finally able to get a hold of Rod last night, and we were able to talk for a few minutes about the whole situation, and he told me to go ahead and start looking for a full-time job and keep doing the preventive maintenance for him. So that's been my day; I had two PM calls this morning, got those done, then I put in an application to Home Depot and a security company down in Des Moines. And then I came back here I was looking on Craigslist to see if anyone had some short term work, and I put in about four more apps to various places. And I keep randomly laughing now, because of God's clear hand when you need it the most. 

On my way down to the security company, I told God, "Okay, last time I started out trying to put in a bunch of applications and do all this work, and when I got turned down a bunch of times, then I said Okay, I'll trust you now. Let's start this time different, and I'm going to trust you and then put in all my apps and time and work and all that." And guess what? An hour ago I got a call with a job offer starting Monday, with more pay than I'm worth. 

So God has taught me a lesson and once again proven to me that He will always take care of His own. Yes, there's still a possibility this won't pan out, but I'm not really that worried. First of all, because I hate living by a long-term plan, but secondly, because I serve a God who loves me and takes care of me, and in that knowledge, I find solidity in all of the annoying and upsetting circumstances I've faced thus far. 

So pray dangerously, and God will answer. Those are my thoughts today. 

Life lessons for a man

As is typical, I can't remember where I read these, but I copied and pasted and I've read through the list a few times, and they come to mind from time to time. And keep in mind, of course, that it's a secular list, but there is wisdom here.

It begins by saying, "Your father probably told you a thing or two, but just in case he wasn't around enough, here are some words of wisdom you might have missed out on:

-- Buy high quality tools, so you only have to buy them once.

-- Keep a change of clothes at the office.

-- Never hit anyone unless they pose an immediate threat.

-- Every hat should serve a purpose.

-- Never take her to the movies on the first date.

-- Learn to wet shave.

-- Few things make you look better than a well-tailored suit.

-- Shave with the grain on the first go-around.

-- Always look a person in the eye when you talk with them.

-- Buy a plunger before you need a plunger.

-- Exercise makes you happy. Run, lift, and play sports.

-- Eat whatever you want, but stop when you get full.

-- Brush your teeth before you put on your tie. 

-- A small amount of your paycheck should go directly into your savings account every month.

-- Call Mom and Dad every week.

-- Never wear a clip-on tie.

-- Give a firm handshake.

-- Compliment her shoes.

-- Never leave a pint unfinished.

-- If you aren't confident, fake it. It will come around.

-- You can tell the size of a man by the size of the things that bother him.

-- Be conscious of your body language.

-- The only reason to ever point a gun at someone is if you intend to shoot them. Period.

-- Always stand to shake someone's hand.

-- Ask more than you answer.

-- Go for women out of your league. You may end up surprised.

-- Manliness is not only about being able to take care of yourself, but others as well.

-- Go with the decision that makes for a good story.

-- When you walk, look straight ahead, not at your feet.

-- Nice guys don't finish last. Boring guys do. 

-- Find your passion and figure out how to get paid for it.

-- The most important thing you can learn is personal responsibility. Bad things happen; it's your job to overcome them.

-- The first one to get angry loses.

-- A man does what needs to be done without complaining.

-- Never stop learning.

-- Always go out in public dressed like you're about to meet the love of your life.

-- Don't change yourself just to make someone happy.

-- If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.

-- Luck favors the prepared.

-- Listen with intent to understand, not with intent to respond. 

-- Do whatever you want, but be the best at it.

-- No one is on their deathbed wishing they spent more time at work.