If it doesn't work out, I'm blaming Aaron

Last Monday I put in my two weeks notice at my job. I agreed to give a third week part-time to help the new workers get on their feet. It's been a pretty good 8 months at old Middle Earth, but I just decided that 6.76/hour wasn't cutting it, especially not with Sam so miserable at his job.

So, the two of us are embarking in a world of self-employment, following the American Dream as Curt Stafford put it in our prayer time last night. Spurred on by my older, Imperial brother, we're putting a few irons in the fire and seeing what happens. A little nervous, we're resolving to just work hard and trust God. I'm looking forward to a flexible schedule, seeing more of Sam, and just being our own bosses. Pretty exciting. I think I'm going to miss quite of few of those babies, but I'll go back and visit now and then.

In closing, if anybody out there needs windows washed, houses cleaned, or a bid for a new janitorial service at your building, hey give us a call! We're reliable.

P.S. Damn the Man

Oh me of little faith.

Working at a care center for children, I'm daily reminded of how ridiculous is my own attitude toward God, my Provider. Just yesterday, I stood by this little guy (20 mos. old) on the right. Lets call him Sammy. So, yesterday, Sammy decides that it would be fun to wear a bucket for a hat, so he places it very firmly on his head so that it will stay put. He then climbs up to the top of one of the steel climbers, higher than he's ever gone. He is very proud of himself. He is at the highest place on the playground! And he did it all by himself! He is still wearing a bucket on his head. I stand by the whole time, just in case he loses his balance/ grip. He decides that it is time to swing down from the bar which he is gripping, but he needs help; he is unsure of himself. I hold his body, trying to guide his feet to lower, flat surface, but as we are in mid-air, he decides he wants, instead, to land his feet on a different shelf, one his toes can touch, but which is physically impossible for him to actually reach and land on. I don't want to lift him over and thereby reinforce that he could do it himself, because he can't do it himself, and would hurt himself if he tried. So, there we are, locked in my trying to guide him to the sensible place (which would eventually get him where he wanted to go), and him, griping at me in gibberish, with a bucket on his head, straining with all his muscles to get to the shelf. I just had to laugh and shake my head at the scene, and how silly he looked and how demanding he was to get his way.

I tell Sam stories like this every day. Every day the kids in my class complain when we set out the food at mealtimes because they think we will forget to give them their plate. That somehow we will forget to feed them. When we give it to them, they are not grateful. But, we love them, and are committed to caring for them.

Just last week, I was struck for several days worrying about the future. I worried about what I will eat, what I will drink, and about my body, what I will put on. I worried about other things, too, but they all pretty much boil down to these necessities. I read Matthew 6. 19-34. And as I read it, I remembered v. 33, one that I have had memorized since at least 5 or 6 years old. "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." So simple, and so convicting. But, so reassuring!

Be encouraged, Christian. Look at and learn from the pictures around you, and have faith.