An Amazing Year, So Far...

It's been an amazing year, so far. I began the year so confused on where I was going concerning my job. For so long I didn't know what I wanted to do; I was mostly content making what I was for a job, not thinking about making more money or working in a different position at Publix. I kept thinking, "God will make it obvious." Thankfully, through my wife's awesome ability to motivate me for greater things, I jumped into the Grocery Team Leader position. It was such a quick transition, too, considering one week I decided to go for it, and the next I was being congratulated by my upcoming manager. My career started to develop, but what was to come was a major jolt of reality.

As a GTL, I found myself exhausted always. I never slept well enough, and my eyes burned while straining to see my alarm tell me the time. It was always dark when I woke up, either to work in the morning or for an overnight. When I went to sleep, it was always day. My health depleated horribly and I slowly lost the few pounds I had gained through working easier shifts in the dairy department. My relationship with Cari was jeopardized to the brink of no communication short of the casual hello-goodbye. I loved her through it all, prayed fervently, and fell asleep with tears in my eyes. Could this be the blessing that I had faithfully asked for? Was I taking care of my family the way the Lord would have me? I felt the answers were loud "no"s.

Being one of the greatest retail companies in North America, Publix bought several dozens of Albertsons, a failing chain in spite of having many stores. Because of this financial decision, and obviously because of God's faithful hands moving through men, I was offered a promotion as an Assistant Grocery Manager.

At this time I was in school, driving to campus four days a week after school and on a day off. I barely saw my family, trying to juggle reading through 38 books in the semester for four literature classes. I didn't open the Bible ever during this fall semester, and sadly, it was more a Steinbeck summer than it was a Biblical one. My priorities weren't where they needed to be, and God knew it. I highly believe He wrenched my attention back to Him through the atrocious summer and fall hours in my GTL position. As hard as it is to type the truth, I'm glad He put me at the Baldwin store to endure the trials there. I had to fight against a rigerous manager whom I respect greatly, other managers who shouldn't be in charge of my fellow co-workers, and I even cut my finger badly the first week because of how tired/quickly I had to work to save time.

Now that I'm in my position as a manager, I've learned a lot. Other than how to train and authorize further training; how to manage a larger crew of associates; and the tests of opening and closing a multi-million dollar store, I've learned how to be content every day. I'm content not knowing everything, and I'm even content being ignorant regarding many aspects of my training as a manager. I've worked with countless past-managers and have been regarded as a good choice for being a manager by them. Though I don't boast purposely, it's nice to be seen in a good light by men and women I respect.

With my girl by my side, we're celebrating our third year of marriage. We both forgot, haha. God has blessed us through one more mean: the ability to move into our own place in a peaceful place near, ironically, my first Publix. I thank you, O Lord, for Your countless love and affection.