The Bald Goat

Have you ever had one of those days? Where it seems like all the forces of chance and nature are working against you? Occasionally those days come up and today was not the worst day, but it was rough for sure.

I had one of those really bad days back in August. I am working for God’s Care Lawnscapes and really my job was just that of a grunt. I was lowest on the totem pole. Nothing much expected of me except to do what I am told. The owner, Brian Holoman had gone on a mission trip to Brazil (an amazing work he has been doing twice a year for the past 10 years!) and on day one our big riding mower broke down. Day two the only other employee who was the crew leader decided to quit. By day three I was suddenly in charge with a new recruit working under me! We were mowing one of the YMCA properties on this day and it. took. forever…

We were there for over 6 hours at the same location! We couldn’t get equipment to work, it was hot, it was taking forever, and we didn’t know what else to do except keep beating our heads against a wall. I began having a pity party as I walked back and forth around a large field mowing with a push mower.

• I hated my job.
• I was well educated and mature and here I was mowing lawns.
• I wasn’t getting paid enough for this.
• I was supposed to be a pastor, not someone mowing lawns.
• I was sticky and hot and dirty and stuff kept blowing in my eyes!
• And on and on I was going until I was crying…pushing a mower…on a very hot day.

This honestly went on for a while, an hour or so I bet. And then I was hit with a refreshing gust of wind. And something inside me said thank you.

I decided to say thank you for other things. 

• my loving wife
• my amazing kids
• the fact that I had any kind of job
• the fact that I was physically able to do this work even if I didn’t like it
• I have many friends and lots of family that love me and care about me
• I have a car and a house and luxuries some people only dream about
• That cloud that passed over briefly giving shade if only for a moment.
• I have not just water, but gatorade back in the truck

And on and on I went until I was crying again, but not the same kind of tears.

I have thought back to that day quite often. God acted as my counselor and used a simple gust of wind to remind me to count my blessings. I don’t think God was upset with me for venting to him all my frustrations and bitterness and anger and sorrow. He is able to handle our rants when our struggles become hard. And when we are honest with Him, I believe he will comfort us and heal us, too.

So, today as I struggled to get equipment to work and was hot and dirty and blah blah blah blah I stopped myself and remembered the gust of wind. I remembered my blessings and I found peace. I still had to work and I still had a rough time, but I was at peace.

I actually thought about the tweet sent out by Kevin Kindred about the nuclear crisis as a result of the earthquake in Japan:

“Japanese nuclear worker on the news: “I am prepared to die to avoid meltdown.” Say it with me—I will not complain about my job today.”

Does this make sense to anyone else?

I thank you Lord for ALL my blessings. I thank you for all the ways in which you deal with me gently and lovingly and give me peace and strength.