Take It For Granted

So I have spent nearly 10 hours at Panera in the last 36 hours and I just realized something about myself.

Between the ages of 15 and 21 I held jobs as a driving range ball-picker-upper/mower/register boy, busboy at a Mexican resturant, weightroom monitor, overnight security guard for an apartment complex (this was absolutely the most idiotic decision I have ever made...$8/hour...work all night...quit after 3 weeks when I heard a gunshot...horrible neighborhood...Phoenix equivalent of South Dallas...yes I am an idiot), campus security (top 3 best jobs...lots of overtime worked here), valet and bellman at the Arizona Biltmore, church youth intern.

I remember working in college at different places and when I was not busy doing something my mind would drift off to my dream of one day being paid to study the word, preach, minister to people. I thought of it often in those days. Even at the Biltmore where it was a spectacular job I would still get frustrated about not being in ministry. I sometimes forget what it was like to not be in ministry. After 7 years I have spent more time in ministry than I did working outside of it. As I watch the people working here change out the trash, get reprimanded by their manager, get short with customers, I am reminded of how miserable I was.

I am grateful. I have an incredible job. In my twenties it is a dream job. I get paid generously. I get paid to study, to preach, to walk with people and minister to them. This is the job I always dreamt of. Full-time ministry is a gift. I forget that sometimes.

Thank you Lord.