Boots on the Ground

Its the New Year now, and and along with remembering what an interesting, and difficult year 2008 was, I also turn my thoughts toward what 2009 might bring. A lot of changes, I have no doubt, but some new opportunities also.
A week or so ago, I had been looking through the boxes my soon to be ex-wife had left me, trying to find a pair of boots. I hadn't seen or worn these boots in quite awhile, but they are a special pair, and I was hoping they had not been thrown out in sorting.
You see, I have had this old set of leather boots for a long time. They arn't very pretty, but they are well worn in, and sort of unique. They have no laces, just a leather strap that wraps around the ankle to secure them to the foot. I've never even seen them outside of military, and even then, the only ones authorized to wear them are those who serve in Armor. I earned the right to wear this pair of Tanker boots after my first successful Table 8, down in Fort Benning GA, they served me faithfully in combat, when we deployed and fought in OIF, during the initial push in 2003. This pair of boots has been to more countries, then most people I know.
In 2004, I left Active Duty, and joined the Guard, in my home state of Minnesota, and the boots came with me.
I retired the boots from military service, but they found a new purpose, and a new life. Riding boots. Although the toe is a little high, and the heels are worn down to near nothing, these boots are broke in, and have served faithfully through crashes, Flintstones style braking, and long, long walks back to base with a broken bike.
Will they ever wear out? Possibly. But until that day comes, they'll be protecting my feet from whatever flies up from the road, keeping me walking and riding a straight and narrow path, and reminding me that,
"... you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life."
Psalm 56:13

Waking Up

Yes, that is what I did this morning.
Doesn't seem like that big of a deal though, does it? And I suppose its not. Perhaps, it has more to do with the fact of what sort of mood I was in when I woke up. It was a good one. Here, let me explain why this is strange.
Yesterday, I got a call. The voice on the other end of the line, told me I didn't get the job I had been hoping for, that would have allowed me to save my truck from repo, and make my life a lot easier. Then, I had to talk to my soon to be ex wife on the phone, which ranks up there as one of my least favorite things, right next pull prying up my toenails with a pick axe. So, all in all, it didn't begin as much of a joyous day for me.
However, last night, I got a chance to go to a garage. Also, most would assume, this is not an epic event of any proportion. But within that garage, and moreso, within a warm room, within the garage(deeper and deeper levels, huh?), I got to meet with some pretty interesting people, some of which I already knew, some I didn't. As usually happens, I must have been the youngest person in there by a decade at least(sorry guys, but seriously...your old:P), which is something I'm getting used too. But with these bikers, one of which is my father, I was able to just talk, and share, some of the things that are, and have gone on in my life.
Dealing with the reality of having to give my truck back to the bank, is a tough thing for me. I, and my former wife, had spent a long time trying to hold back the destroyed credit demon, and having this happen is quite a blow.
But one of the things that really lifted my spirits while talking to these guys, is when I talked about having the truck taken back, one guy said he had to claim bankrupsy in '86, and another chimed in he had to do the same in '88. They went through worse then I did, and came out the other end ok. That took an incredible amount of weight off my shoulders.
Something else I was reminded of, as the group closed out in prayer, is something I had said, when I was down on my knees only a few months before. "Lead me to where you want me, and use me how you will. "
I had a strong sense, that God was telling me, I had let his truck, and the concern and worry its brought me, rule over my life for long enough. It was time to let it go, because he had more important things for me to be concentrating on, then a vehicle I didn't even really like that much.
Its good to know your not alone while dealing with things, and that all things, really are possible, with God.

Matthew 21:20-22