face first

Today I posted a Facebook status that read:

"I fear my life will forever encompass an unnatural love/hate relationship with the things that continuously knock me on my face."

The specific meaning behind this is a mystery to everyone I'm sure, so let me elaborate...

The inspiration behind this odd cluster of words stems from a certain incident that occurred today (if not a continuum of instances that happen to us all every now and again). It's one of those things that places you outside of your comfort zone and into the reality of things we aren't accustomed to. I'm talking about the times when you feel you have to give your testimony out-of-the-blue. Or when a beggar asks if you have any spare change. Or when you see an old lady in desperate need of someone to help her cross the street. My such event involved me helping a blind man.

For those that don't know, I work at the University of Montevallo Student Activity Center when I'm not in class. I mostly just supervise the weight room and make sure no horse-play goes on. It is, of course, a very uneventful job...until a blind guy walks in and wants to get in shape. So I show him around the place and point out the different machines and describe the muscles they work to the guy. A very uncomfortable situation, I must say. I never really had any interactions with a blind person prior to today, so I wasn't sure how to accomplish this task. Should I hold on to him so he doesn't trip over the machines? Should I direct his hand to the various mechanisms and levers and weights? Or should I treat him as if he had no disability at all? I'm sure he could feel the hesitance in my voice as we toured the facility. I just wanted it to be over so I could go back over behind the front desk and gather my thoughts and breathe a sigh of relief. Selfish me...

He didn't plan on working out at that time, so he departed when I had finished showing him around. But before he left, something inside me--something I wish I could uncover at will (or that would remain uncovered all the time) caused me to tell him my work hours. I told him when I was available and to ask me for any kind of help he needed. My outlook on the situation had done a complete turnaround in a matter of minutes. I don't know why or how my brain told my mouth to move and my voice to share this information. I didn't like dealing with this uncomfortableness, so why would I freely allow more at a later date? I think it's because I long for things that are unknown, but am too scared to go out and face it until it's standing right in front of me. I think God definitely puts those uncomfortable tasks in our path to test us and ultimately make us stronger. Maybe this doesn't happen to everyone; I know a lot of people can deal with things of this sort with ease. THAT is incredible!

There will be sort of a 2nd part to this regarding the way I (we) take things for granted, like the five senses most of us are blessed with. It's late and I've said enough already. Until then, be ready when you get thrown a curve ball.

God bless,
Zach