The fear of the Lord is strong confidence “is what Proverbs 14:26 says. And in Sean’s explination describing a fortified city guarding our hearts. I had a challenging day yesterday, you know one of those days where you wonder if what you are doing is right. Fortunately for me I have some good people around me that I can ask to guide me. This teaching calling the God has me in is a new learning experience and if I’m honest harder that I thought in some ways. A few kids pushed their limits to my breaking point and I had to draw the line with them and be stern. I shut down all activities and demanded they all sit in there seats with a loud stern voice. Two of the kids were saying they were sorry as I went on in this tone informing them that they would have been fired from their job on the spot if they were working in this field. Then I proceeded to try and wake them up with stories of people I worked with that never went home because of behavior like this the either killed them or crippled them for life. I continued that if I can’t trust you now I can’t trust you with the tools , electricity, refrigerant, and so many other dangerous activities. I let them sit for a few minutes to think about what just happened. Then I have then the last 10 minutes to clean up as I watched with my arms folded and no smile on my face. I told them then that they are so smart with what they have done so far but this behavior is grounds for dismissal from the program. I now realize I am blessed because most high schools teachers don’t have that power to take the kid out of a program. But these kids had to qualify to be in this HVaC shop class. So I prayed and asked that our almighty, all knowing, all powerful God of all understanding help me to keep the boundaries so these kids stay safe. I can only move forward with the confidence that God is my refuge and will give me the strength to continue to learn and manage what he has given me to do.

As I begin my last day at this job my thoughts easily turn to some of the negative things that have happened. If I choose to speak those to anyone it would just be folly. Instead my focus needs to be on finishing well. I have done work to do and also used ChatGPT to make a few emails to teams and company wide to show gratitude for all I have learned over the past 8+ years. I also listed to the video why marriage is so difficult where Sean and Deborah go back and forth reading and understanding Gods word. My wife joined in for some time and we both not only learned some truths but also saw a real couple share their experience and even disagree but come back to understanding each other. Sorry she is no longer with us but can certainly see why Sean was attracted to her. Another strong woman in Christ. Blessed to have this shared with me.

This episode talks about Christian parenting . Reminded me of many times I had to ask forgiveness from my daughter when I overreacted trying to discipline her. The Sean spoke of a car accident his daughter had and reminded me of my daughters first crash. Of course when she called I was thankful that she was ok, then I asked what happened. Two things I remember that she learned. First was that she seemed to think it was the other persons fault, and when I overheard her talk on the phone with a friend I sat her down to explain that she needed to come to the reality that this was her fault. Since then she has been a very cautious driver and we are thankful for that lesson. Then I told her to have the car towed home not to a shop. Now this may not be for every child but when I got home and after giving her a big hug we looked at the car together. I put my arm around her and said “ this is now your new car!” As the antifreeze ran down the driveway and we looked at the crumpled front end. This was her Moms car that she wrecked. I said, this is not a punishment but the consequences for what happens. Your choice to repair or sell as is and buy yourself a car. She had some money saved and was working odd jobs. I then said I will not fix it for you but will do it with you. It was a great time and memories together searching for junk yard parts and straightening fenders together getting dirty and getting her back on the road for under $250. I know I could have done better in many ways but now she is getting married in 1 month so I need to be ready for what’s next.

As I did my best to navigate my words yesterday giving my employer my resignation, I was humbled later in the day to find out one of my supervisors had a heart episode last week while on vacation with his wife and two young daughters. Interesting as I was somewhat anxious as to what his reaction would be and then my heart turned to his mortality. I texted him to see how he was doing and let him know if his family needs anything the we are here to help. We live only about 15 min apart. I did give him a book last month that helped me with my daughter called “She calls me Daddy” not sure if he read it but know he has had some challenges and thought it would help him. Now my focus has turned to the fact that God has now given me this opportunity to show him Jesus and share what it means to follow God and be saved for eternity. Asking for prayers for Joe today.

Last nights CYOE coaching and today’s 12x have helped me understand how to walk through this season of changes in my life with Christs confidence. I have been blessed with a coworker who is a brother in Christ that I will be meeting Saturday at a men’s breakfast with his church group. This gives me the opportunity to speak with him afterwards and share that I will be giving notice on Monday. This study has helped me to share with him first so he is not blind sided by someone else with the news and I hope wil strengthen our relationship. The wisdom from the saints in day 170 being a mirror of Gods unchanging Love reflecting His steadfastness in our darkest times. Well I don’t see this as a dark time but can apply this for sure through this process.