May 19th 2010

Today was a great day. I enjoy working at Tangent Outfitters because it gets me outside and sometimes (well most of the time) I end up in the river. And I get paid for it. Great right? I tend to think so.

Let me explain my joy and why it is proof that God is moving in my life. It wasn't too long ago that I would be reluctant to go to work for the amount of money that I am getting paid now. Some of the things that I would have repented (turn away) for would have been complaining, you know like I ain't getting paid enough to do this crap; bitterness, can't believe I was making $40,000/year to come work for these peanuts; and of course the infamous I don't know what Shawn is doing but I know that I could do better. But behold old things are passed away and all things are now new in my life.(2 Cr 5:17)

God has been teaching me to give thanks for the things that are in my life. I know that I had a tendency to measure my circumstances and equate my joy from that situation. Now I give thanks in all things. Great trait to have.

As I prepare for work I like to spend time with God in prayer. Father thank you for the wisdom to do a good job, I hear the voice of the good Sheppard and a stranger I won't follow, my footsteps are ordered by the Lord, and then it is on to the Holy Spirt, please minister to my during the course of the day and help me to guard my heart and my mind. It works out for me. Today I had to come clean with God (funny to think maybe He didn't know this about me) but I was asking God for help because I have a hard time backing trailers up and especially backing trailers up in tight spots like a boat launch on the river.

As we jumped in to the day (at Tangent we don't really start our day we just jump into it and go) God was telling me that today I needed to step out and learn how to back the trailers up. Alright I hear the voice of a good Sheppard(John 10:4,5).

It is interesting how the enemy will attack you when God has just spoken. Things were a little rocky as I left with the wrong truck to the wrong site, Shawn calls and wants to know where I am because we are ready to go. The other thing is Shawn was guiding which means that he was going with us which meant I had to back a trailer up with the clients AND the owner (Shawn) watching. On the way back to the shop to get the right vehicle I was asking God for some help here and declaring that I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

Notice how the circumstances of the situation were stacking up. 1)I had done the wrong thing first thing that morning 2) we were now behind schedule with clients waiting (a big no no in sports recreation area of tourism) 3) the boss was not happy 4) I was going to be "found out" about my driving skills. Those were pretty big circumstances right there for 7:30 in the morning.

So what did transpire? I get to the shop, the guides are driving the trucks to the sight, and we are driving them back to the take out spot down river. After getting the clients and the boss on the water we dropped the trucks and headed back to the shop to run another truck to a different section of the river. During this time I was able to practice for half an hour at one of the most difficult spots we take out. And did a good job I might add.

As we were driving to the put in spots to meet up with the guides and the clients my wife sent me this scripture and I would like to share it hear because it made my day and reminded me that I am a blessed man to be able to work on the river this summer.

Isaiah 43:1,2

But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

And the lesson that I learned? Listen to the voice of the Creator and not the voice of circumstances.