Whirlwind

Sometimes recently I feel like my life is a bit...well...crazy! It has not been overly busy or overwhelming to the point where I am counting down the days until vacation (33). Every day I feel like I have accomplished more than what I needed to, & don't feel stressed whatsoever. However, I find myself longing for the mundane & menial tasks of life. I was sharing with Sara the other day that a part of me misses the routine of the business world. I knew what to expect every day I walked into my office. I knew exactly what I needed to get done that day & how I was going to do it. My current job is anything but "routine". Everyday it seems like there is some surprise that I need to handle, some kid that I need to talk to, or some trip I need to make into town. 

Even through all of the 'end-of-the-year' craziness, I still am incredibly thankful for the way things are going. The best way I can find to describe my life right now is that I'm a house sitting in a meadow. By no request, choice, or decision of mine a whirlwind has shown up. Yet this whirlwind is not destroying everything in its path. Instead, is is simply stretching my beyond the limits I had thought I was capable of. Isaiah 54:2 says:

  Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back;

lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 

This verse has been resonating in me lately. To say that God has already put me through a massive learning curve in my adult life thus far is the understatement of the century. I have not had a normal young adult life at all. I have been thrust into things, groomed for things, taught lessons, given leadership, had to make vital decisions, & had to learn skills for which I'm never sure why I need them. So to 'enlarge my tent' is something that I am used to. In my mind though I have made it where God wants me. I am fulfilling everything God has put in my heart. I'm working with kids, working in missions, coaching, & able to be with my family everyday. What else could God possibly want me to do now? Silly I should ask...you would think I would learn!

Through many conversations & prayer, Western has asked me to be the Spiritual Life Director. This is something that I am extremely excited about, yet nervous all the same. I have some extremely big shoes to fill from the guy that is departing, but I have never felt better about any decision I have made. I am excited for what God is doing on our campus & I am very anxious to see how God will use me next year to work in the lives of the students here. 

I am shocked at how God works. When I was in High School here at Western there were 4 things that I wanted. Coach Basketball, Youth Pastor, Manage People, & have a family. When I evaluated those things in career class, I assumed there was no way to do all of those things & in most circles it isn't. So naturally I chose the thing that would bring be the most money & that was managing people. I had given up that I could do all 4 & do all 4 effectively. Isn't that just when God comes in? Right when you have assumed your dreams aren't attainable & you create more "realistic" ones he is finally given the opportunity to be GOD! 

Next year I will be youth pastoring everyday here on campus through the new position I have. I will be managing people through my Dorm Director position. I will be coaching basketball for my 8th year here at Western next year. The best one though? I get to work with my wife & daughter everyday. Not only do I have a family, but I don't have to go to work everyday & not get to spend time with my wife & daughter. I can not think of a better situation for Sara & I. God is in a word...GOOD!

This week is going to be long for me. I started this morning with a 6am run to the bus station for a kid. Tomorrow it's 4am. Friday is 3:45am. Saturday is 3am. Sunday is 4am. After the last PDX run I think I will spend my Father's Day sleeping. It's going to be long, but I will miss all of our kids. Summer is upon us!