God’s desire for us to be like Christ
I know that I’ve grown and matured as a man over the years. I think this is the process that God wants us to traverse. He cares about our spiritual and character development more than he does just seeing us get material possessions. It’s like most parents who cares mostly about a child’s growth in maturity, wisdom, humility, work ethic etc. than his social and financial status. They have nothing against the social or financial status as long as you know how to handle it.
I say all this because the same things that bothered me before doesn’t bother me as much anymore. Most recently, the thought of every coming back to my mom’s place, let alone being my age, was petrifying. I just wouldn’t allow it.
However, now that my mom has gone through the split, I felt it was the right thing to do. I wanted to be there for my mom as she made this adjustment. A lot of things are changing in her life right now and it would have sucked if she went through it alone.
She’s getting to the place where she’s about to sell her store. My dad no longer lives here nor runs the water store. She’s running both stores and it’s tough. She plans to sell both businesses and scale back her work. She’s also now starting to feel the age catch up to her. She’s visiting the doctors more. Her knees are hurting. She’s more tired. It’s hard to see age catch up.
Care about family when you have the chance
It was a touching moment yesterday when I was cleaning the dishes and my mom comes over to me and says, “Thanks for staying here with me. I would have been lonely without you here.” That to me was something so powerful and so profound. It made me forget about my own troubles and made me appreciate the fact that I could be there for her.
I could see her tearing up. It’s hard for me to see her struggling with the thought of being alone, dealing with old age, coming to the end of your working life, and now entering her golden years. It made me so thankful for having a mom that allowed me to continue to pursue my dreams by providing shelter and just always showing up when I need it. She shows her love through acts of service and without a doubt my mom loves all her kids. She doesn’t say it much but she sure as heck shows it. I’m thankful that I’m here. I’m thankful for a loving mom. Even though the situation is tough, I’m glad I’m here with her while she’s around.
Unwage Progress
On other news, I’m making some headway with Unwage. I’m pretty excited about this project. It’s something I really believe in and I’d even do it for fun without the money attached to it. It’s like an extension of Milliardco. But don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely in it for the money. Lol. I believe in what the value prop is and the value it’s bring to the market.
I’m still in search of a job. I’m going to keep working on Unwage, continue to build skills, and look for a job. I’m at the point where I’m just going to keep doing the best I can each day and see where things go. I’m not dead set on going business 100% and I’m not opposed to getting a job. We’ll see where things end up.
Unexpected Meetings
I went to the gym tonight and had an unexpected encouraging moment. I went to the basketball court just to shoot around but with enough guys on the court, I asked if everyone wanted to run a game.
Everyone agreed and we played a 3v3. One of my team mates was a younger looking Korean kid. After playing a couple games, we took a break and I ended up talking to Darren (the Korean kid). As we were talking, he mentions that he plays basketball with his church. So I continue to push that conversation a bit and dig into a bit of his background. It turns out he started opening up to me about his career, disappointing his parents, and working at a juice place.
What got really crazy was when he started talking about how his life starting going downhill when he lost his best friend in a car accident when he was going to UC Riverside. He said he became depressed after that and things starting going south for him.
That struck a cord because one of my closest friend’s little brother passed away in a car accident also from UC Riverside. I began telling him about my friend and how he went through depression because of it. I also told him about my time of going through massive depression for 4+ years.
It turns out that as I’m telling him this, he stops me and asks me friend’s name. I tell him and he responds with, “That friend of yours, his little brother was my best friend. I know who you are talking about.” MINDBLOWN.
What a small world. I knew at that moment it was a God moment. When you know that God ordained this conversation and it’s going to change someone’s life. I literally had the chills as he told me this. My heart hurt for him and it empathized with him because I know how gruesome and lonely depression is.
I took that moment to listen to him and encourage him. I can tell he was listening. I know God is going to use this conversation and crazy encounter to do something in this young man’s life. It’s these moments that I thank God for everything that I’ve been through. It gives me clearer perspective in life.
I don’t know what lies ahead for me or for that kid. But I do know who goes before us. I pray for more opportunities to impact young men and women. I pray I can encourage them with my own life story. I pray for a turn around in my own life. I pray for breakthrough so that I can encourage the next generation to seek the Lord with all their heart, all their mind, and all their soul.
It was a great reminder for me on why God allows us to go through challenges. Why he’s persistent on us growing to become more like Jesus. As we go through our change, we can now raise up the next generation. One by one we can be the change. We can bring God’s will on earth as it is in heaven — to love God and love people.
Prayer for Darren
Thank you God for this moment. Thank you for Darren’s life. I pray that you will touch his heart and soul today. I pray that today brings breakthrough. I pray that he, from this moment on, searches for you will all his being. That he would follow you with everything he’s got. I pray that you radically transform his life and he becomes more like Jesus. I pray you equip him to make an impact on this side of eternity for your Kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.