Helicopter Ride

I'll admit that so far, 2010 has not been an easy year for me. I scour the surrounding areas for employment, but no luck. I get my school done, but there isn't much of it. I've been too restless and too upset with myself and my situation for too long. Life goes uphill and downhill, then back uphill... and endless cycle. But what about the hundreds of times in the bible where we are told to rejoice, give thanks, and be happy and content with what we have, even when we are suffering? Especially when we are suffering. Wisdom from the book of Matthew was the blood in my brain, and verses 5:11-12 came to me.

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." And suddenly, it hit me.

I know God.

He is my friend and I know that he created me and has plans for me.

How could a job, money, or better friendships make my life any better?

I'm already friends with the best friend anyone could ask for, and the best part is, I can spend as much time with Him as I want to! So why do I have to be so sullen and why do I have to try so hard to keep my chin up, and conceal my feelings and emotions in front of other people so that I appear to be doing fine? This has to be the best epiphany I've ever had. It was like two giant bottles full of poison fell off of my shoulders, making me a free man. Or a real boy.

From that moment on, it's been almost impossible to look at anything negatively. I went to Bartell Drugs in Snohomish, who is currently hiring, and was told my hours weren't open enough because of school during the week, making me ineligible for the position. I immediately threw made a frown face on my way out, but the second those automatic double doors opened, thrusting the cold, harsh, real world upon my arms and face, my lips miraculously curled into a smile I couldn't turn upside down if I tried. Later on, I was turned down at Red Robin, and the movie theater. When the manager at the movies told me they weren't hiring until May, I turned around and started skipping and singing out of the building, and all the way out to my car. I couldn't stop smiling, but I also couldn't stop wondering why on earth I was this happy.

Life definitely has goes downhill and uphill many times. But this morning, God flew a helicopter down to me, practically spelling everything out for me. I hopped in, and now I'm riding above those ups and downs. I'm not saying I'm above all my problems because of God, I'm just saying that I don't have any problems. My schedule and my own hopes and dreams, my transgressions, my tea, my music, my good, and my bad are no longer mine. I hope I never decide to get out when we fly above the topmost hills.