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Journal glh's Journal: Some Updates 16

Journal by glh

This has been a long week (I guess I can relate to Em). I think I am starting to get burned out-in general- and need a vacation. And by vacation, I don't mean a working vacation, which is probably what I'll have in a week or two when the house is (hopefully) done. I'd like to go to the beach and sip the proverbial lemonade. I'd even settle for some iced tea. I guess the in-laws pool is about the closest I'm going to get for now. Went out in it with my daughter last night and it was a lot of fun. She really likes the water.

For some reason I just feel like I'm in the mood to do some naval pondering. Do you ever think back to a point in your life where you were at a "crossroads"- knowing that you could make decisions that would significantly affect the rest of your life? Sometimes I think back and wonder "what if I would have done this..." and how my life would be different now if I had decided otherwise (it can be a fun game to play). Honestly, I've been pretty happy with the decisions that I've made along the way- but sometimes I do wonder about a few of them.

My "career" decision is kind of one of them. Back in my last year of college, I was raising support to go overseas on a 1 year "internship" that was basically a missions trip. I was starting to have serious misgivings about that, mainly because of the people I was going to be there with, and that I didn't really have the right motivation to go. Aynway, I wasn't 100% "not going" but I made a decision to get an internship in a local company near by and try out software (web) development. I was hired by a man that turned out to be a great mentor and encourager, and I worked for him not only at that company, but also another company after he moved on (and I followed). I worked for him for about 4 years total and learned quite a bit. I felt it was time to move on because of some other situations at that company and eventually landed where I'm at now, and have been here for 3 years now. I really like this company and have a good mentor, and hopefully will be moving up the ranks.

Anyway, I sometimes wonder what I'd be doing, if I'd be a different person, etc. if I would have went down a different path. I imagine I'd probably be doing some kind of full-time ministry either with a church or with the organization I was going to be interning with. I doubt the later, because most friends who went down that path have all ended up doing something different (in many cases moving into a career).

I am pretty happy with where I am at in life right now. Work, church, family life, etc. is all good. Building a house has definitely been a stress-add but I think it will be worth it after we move in. Work is going well- just hoping for some opportunities to materialize soon. Church is good- we're growing. Though sometimes I feel like I'm only in church on Sunday, and I'd like to be a little more "sold out" in my day-to-day life. Family is great, though things can be a little stressy every now and then (more now and then's when it's time to pay bills..). One thing I can say is that God always has provided, and I don't doubt for one minute he won't continue to.

In conclusion, I'm thankful for my 29 years here. And hopefully there will be many more to enjoy!

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Some Updates More

Some Updates

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    • Thanks! I wasn't sure anyone would read that far :) (Warm fuzzies)
    • Can I be second? Happy Birthday... uhhh... psst! Whose journal is this again? Just kidding Greg! Happy b-day! I know what you mean about crossroads, that's one reason I'm doing this. I don't want to be sitting in this chair a year from now saying, "I wonder what would have happened if I had taken that Cincy job instead of staying here because I didn't want to leave my friends?"
      • When I was 12 years old, I was accepted into an advance math program through the university. I could have finished math through DiffEq by 10th grade. I didn't do it because I was scared. QED.

        (On the other hand, it's possible that I would have completely forgotten the math by the time I had to use it, so it's not all bad.)
      • So did you accept the offer for sure?? (Did I miss a JE?)
      • As a person that has moved quite a bit as a kid (glh moved even more than I, so he could probably say the same thing), I can say that through each move, I've met more friends, and had a better life. You can always go back to visit, and stuff, but you are a big fish in a small pond where you are now. Time to explore the ocean to see where you really fit.

        Me, I don't look back. The decisions you make create the person you are. I'm happy where I am, and my decisions (both right and wrong, good and bad) ma
        • Me, I don't look back. The decisions you make create the person you are. I'm happy where I am, and my decisions (both right and wrong, good and bad) made me who I am today.

          Yeah, I know what you mean. The decisions you make and who you are are pretty tightly integrated. And, there is not much you can do about it even if you regret something, so it's definitely best to be content with what decisions you've made. I'd say I'm in the same boat- happy where I'm at now.

          Oh, and Happy Birthday Goob!

          Thanks! :)
  • Let me be the 3rd (I think) to say Happy Birthday! ;-) That's cool coz 3 is my lucky number and my birthday is on the 3rd (next week). Do you like how I've turned this into something all about me?? Hehehe

    Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! And many many many more to come. :-)

  • First, happy birthday.

    Second, do you not believe that if He had intended for you to take a different path, God would have lead you down that way?

    BTW, not to invalidate your experience or anything, but this house building thing has been relatively painless. Imagine stretching it out over a year and a half, and instead of all the decisions being made up-front, needing to make them as they come up AND being responsible for going out and shopping for & buying the shit yourself.

    I actually kinda enjo
    • Second, do you not believe that if He had intended for you to take a different path, God would have lead you down that way?

      Yeah, most likely. There is a verse in Proverbs (I think) that says something like a man makes his own decisions, but God directs his steps. I tend to view it as-

      1. God allows you to make mistakes
      2. He is always there for you (though you still / may have to suffer consequences)
      3.In the end things always work out

      It kind of reminds me of that famous picture/poem- footsteps in the s
  • And regarding crossroads, the question is not "Am I doing obvious work for the Lord right now", but "Am I looking for what the Lord's will is, and am I willing to drop anything & everything to pursue His will?" If you are, then you're better off than if you did 7 years of full time ministry but still clung to your own desires and goals. Some are called "full time", but we should all serve the Lord all the time.

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