New Shoes

      It is always good to have good shoes when traveling, that is if you are not a Hobbit in which case you don't need shoes (some will understand that some won't). The road is long and you don't want to wear yourself out during the first leg of the journey.
      I moved to Idaho a year and three months ago. The whole time working at a plastics company, first as a molder working the 700 degree ovens then as a trimmer, trimming the plastic parts that came off of the ovens. On Wednesday last I ended my tenure at this company to become a server at Denny's. I survived my first shift as a waiter (granted the majority of it was the computer based training). I was not happy with my job at the plastics company but, I tried my best to make good out of it and there was some good that did present itself. However, without too much detail and saving the argument for a more appropriate subject, the environment and treatment that the employees is quite sub-par so, it is very difficult to find fulfillment and satisfaction there.
     Why do I tell you this? I tell you largely because of the lesson I have learned and to be honest am still learning these moments. The road we travel is far more than just a walking holiday. There are mountains to climb valleys to brave and rivers to cross. Obstacles and difficulties do arise. And we have to endure them. There really isn't an option in this, you have to push through. Now don't take this as me telling you by any means to suck it up and soldier because I understand just how brutally painful this situations can be. J.R.R. Tolkien, my favorite author is attributed with two saying that I have always held dear. "Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens." and "You can only come to the morning through the shadows." I believe these two quotes to hold much truth. It has been a extremely difficult year for me and well to be honest I am still facing some trials in my life. But, we do have to keep walking, hence the importance of good shoes. I just had to buy slip resistant shoes for my new job as a server, one must have proper footing if we are going to make it to Damascus. And if i am being frank with you I have to tell you that my good footing is grounded in my faith in Christ and the promises of my Creator. Personally I do not believe I could ever come to the morning, I would never make it through the shadows without my faith. I do believe that God intervenes in my life daily. I can feel the presence of His grace constantly surrounding me and it only intensifies in my moments of trial.
     It is also very important I believe that we don't try to rush through these obstacles that arise in our path. We must realize that things take time. You may physically and literally come to a morning through what may seem the longest night of your life but, that does not mean the problems we are dealing will be gone. One does not climb a mountain or traverse a mountain range of ups and downs in one night. But, hold tight so long as we keep traveling we can get there and it will be easier, for a time. I won't promise you that there is only ever one trial. Remember that no one ever promised you a life of easy, take it as a given that life has troubles. We all traveling on this road together though, if need be you can borrow my shoes for a time, all you have to do is ask.