I love my Job!

I love my job! It is the best job I have ever had by far. It is a real career. I have had many jobs over the years and perhaps 3 jobs that have been careers, but this is the best by far. Not everything about it is perfect...at times I am bored like everyone else. But by and large it is the most encouraging environment that I have ever been in. And that is saying a lot because I work in the government. I have worked for christians who have definitely not been as kind or have had the integrity that this place holds. I find it funny that I had to come to the government to learn what true Christian service was all about. My job is about serving the public good. It is real service. It is valuable and makes a difference in the lives of Canadians. And I love it! I love being in an environment where you are encouraged to grow. Where your contribution counts and where you are recognized for your hard work. Yes, I actually do work hard when I am in a functional environment! I have never felt so respected at work. They endeavour to treat people fairly both monetarily and personally. And they do it with an uncommon grace for an employer. Sometimes I think the government is more like the church should be than the church actually is. It’s nice to still be in ministry of sorts.

Everyday life is the Miracle

So I went to see my uncle this week. Uncle Detweiler as I affectionately call him is in the last stages of his battle with cancer. He was diagnosed in January of this year and started to feel its effects back in July. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight and is now only weeks away from his demise. So you can imagine that my conversation with him took on some extra importance. As I sat there with him I realized this may be one of my last times to see him. He literally may not be there tomorrow. I needed to make the most of my time and there were things I needed to say to him. Things I needed him to know about how much he means to me. As we spoke I was comforted by God's Spirit, because I knew that Uncle Deitrich had been given so much strength. He is going to his death with a dignity that I have rarely seen in a person. It was like God was speaking through him to me. Over these last few weeks he has been pretty well holed up in his room with nothing but time. And he has cultivated his relationship with God in those dark moments. He told me that some people have said to him that "they still believe in miracles". That perhaps God might do the miraculous and save him from this certainty. Deitrich said to me though that he has come to realize that "Everyday life is the miracle". I was struck by these words in these moments with him and have been left pondering the significance of what he has said. He went on to say that he sees himself in the Shelter of God's wings. That God like the mother hen is holding him through this current dilemna. He said that he feels the comfort of God in these days. That is just one of the miracles that he is experiencing. I asked him, "How would you like us to pray for you?' He responded by saying, "that is a very good question" and after a few moments said, " pray for yourselves that you would be comforted. Pray for encouragement. Pray for Oma (his mother) and for Doris (his sister). Pray for my family as we have a few things to still work out."
My time with Deitrich was incredible. I came away blessed and with a deeper appreciation for this man. May the Lord Bless him and keep him. May the Lord be gracious unto him and give him peace. May the Lord turn His face unto him and say, "Well done!"
Lord teach me that everyday life with you is the miracle.