Easter Sunday

One of the drawbacks of being a Professional Firefighter is that in my career I will undoubtedly spend many holidays away from my family.  Though it can be a bummer at present, I’m sure it won’t be any easier in the future when I miss out on the witnessing the excitement of little runts waking up and storming the Parsons’ castle for chocolate eggs and Jelly Belly’s.  But alas, the world still turns, people get sick, people get hurt, so today we here on A-Shift of the WFD are here for them.  In the mean time, we’ll dull the pain of absence with some delicious overeating, on-line church services, and some R&R between calls.

Yesterday Jen and I continued putting the final touches on the basement remodel and it’s finally starting to feel rewarding and not take every spare moment we have to spend.  I wholeheartedly admit that I was born without the home improvement gene that most men are born with.  Each project I’ve undertook at 1004 e 2nd has been with great apprehension, but continues to end on a good note.  I think I’ve come to a slight understanding of why I tend to run the other way when home improvement comes to the fore.  As a man, I think I have this expectation that I should know how to do all things and be good at all things.  I enjoy cycling, skiing, mountain climbing because not only does it bring a sense of freedom, but I’m good at it.  I’m proficient, I can tackle difficult problems, I can push myself and achieve goals with the tools I all ready have.  Then there’s home improvement.  Each project I stumble into with no confidence, clueless, and without a vision of how to accomplish it.  It brings out insecurity and frustration.  I don’t know where to look for help, and I don’t like to have to ask for help.  Fortunately, there’s two guys that I have been able to depend on who have patiently taught me and enabled me to be one of those men who improve their home and take pride.  Local artist and craftsman Mark Manning, and Jack of all trades Larry Parsons.  Thanks to these guys, I’ve been able to fumble through a couple home projects and come out the other end feeling pride and ownership over the house I share many joyful experiences with my family and friends.   Unfortunately, now that the basement is finished, I can’t help but anticipate the next undertaking; the bathroom.

Finding the rhythm on pedals again has been at odds with time when it comes to home improving, training for The Rut, and all other things life.  At this point I realize that I always start off the season slow and behind the 8 ball.  Every season I go through at least two months of feeling discouraged like I have “lost it” and I should consider “retirement”.  Compounding my most recent sensations of being a turtle on a bike has been my attempt to incorporate running into the program.  Last Tuesday my friend Burket and I went for a 15 mile trail run through the Whitefish Trails.  It was a beautiful morning for a run, and I’d be lying if I didn’t wish I was actually on a bike, but it was still a great way to be out in the hills and a little more conducive to solving the problems of the world with a buddy.  Then in my endless quest to be a Jack of all trades (nearing abuse of cliche for this post), I tried to hang with the big boys at Wednesday Night Worlds (group ride sufferfest) which turned out to be a huge mistake.  Two problems I have yet to solve but anticipate the learning curve are 1) after an hour of running I just wanna stop and walk- I never feel like that on a bike and 2) how does one train to be competitive on a bike while still gaining efficiency in running.  Ahhh, problems of the first world…

As a closing thought for today’s post I want to give thanks for an amazing story and sacrifice that God made that is the reason for our celebration today.  Jen and I read the story of Christ’s death yesterday in the New Testament.  I’m not sure what translation Jen’s bible is, or if it was due to the translation or just the state of mind I had but I was particularly moved by the story of Jesus’ sacrifice.  The telling of his final day and his pleading with God revealed to me just how human Jesus was when he was faced with his final day on earth before his resurrection.  Jesus was afraid, he didn’t want to die.  He experienced what any one of us would have felt in his sandals.  He pleaded with God for a reprieve from the punishment, but above that, he believed that God’s will was greater and unto the salvation of mankind.  It’s pretty cool that even though Jesus knew the story, knew the outcome, knew he would be alive three days later, he still asked to be spared of the pain.  It encourages me that I can come to God and tell him what I desire, ask him what I want, ask him for his favor, and he will never let me down.  It may not be awesome in the moment, it may take some pain, or a lot of pain.  But it’s gonna be good.  His will is good, always is, always will be.  Pretty thankful for that.  Hope you all enjoy the freedom of will we get to exercise every day and know that there is a good God with a good plan for us if and when we ask him.

Happy Easter Y’all!