This will be my last post of the weekend, unfortunately. I say unfortunately because it means that in a two hours I need to be in bed so that I can wake up at 3:00am to get ready for my formal briefing at 0420 and my flight briefing at 0510am. That will pretty much be this week. Should be fun, no? I title this entry "frustrations and prayers," because in many ways that is what life right now is like.
The frustrations come out in a number of ways. Frustrations at not being able to do a good landing yet. Frustrations at being 3-5 flights behind most of my friends because I keep getting weathered out of flights. Frustrations that it looks like I will not get out of here for more than a week, when most of my friends will be leaving sometime this week. Frustrations at trying to give my all, but constantly feeling like I just can't hack it. Those kind of frustrations.
Prayers are the result of these frustrations. Or, at least, I am trying to make them the results. A friend back at Laughlin put it best. Before I came, he said this place will do one of two things to you. It will drive you to God, or it will drive you to beer. For most here, booze is the direction they go. For me, I refuse to go down that road. Thus, the option left to me is God, and I am glad for it. I would be lying if I said that every moment of the day I am laying all this at his feet. But I sure as hell am trying too. I don't like carrying this, and I don't like being constantly frustrated or upset. It just doesn't work for me. All of your prayers mean the world to me, and if it were not for them, I have no doubt I would have given up before now. It seems to me that it is all of you who have prayed me through the last six months. Through the difficulty of moving to TX, and through all the challenges that came from that. And now, it is you once again who are praying me through here. I don't know what will happen here in the coming week, but I do know that whatever it is, it will not be a result of a lack of petition on my behalf. It will be the will of the Lord. I am overwhelmed by the love and support of all of you, and am so incredibly greatful.
As I head into week number 3 of flying, your continued prayer and petition, grace and love, are appreciated more than I could ever express. I love you all.
12 comments:
Thanks for sharing your heart with your family and friends! I am so proud of your resolve to run to GOD in all of this rather than choosing the other route you mentioned that is the direction of choice for so many. What a sad commentary and sad way for guys and girls to deal with their stress and the intensity of the experience. Know that you are surrounded by a great number of people who are praying, most of whom you are not seeing comments from but who nonetheless are lifting you up. I am praying that God will give you endurance AND that He will lift some of the frustrating experiences--instead of bad weather and planes that are hard to land, for smooth landings and clear skies when it is your turn. love you so much! -mom
Hey Zach--
Didn't know you were sending words out in the the interwebz about the Great Big Air Force Adventure. Just happened to come across this today. Sounds like the going is getting tough, buddy, and I'm sorry to hear about that. I feel bad about the fact that I haven't talked to you in a while, especially since it's such a crazy summer for both of us - weddings, new jobs, you doing crazy hard stuff to fly planes. Know that I'm praying for you and for Ashley and that you can do everything that God calls you to in the place and time He has called you to do it in. I appreciate your heart to stay strong and close to God even in the midst of a difficult environment - it's an encouragement to me, too, and know that there are others of us out there who, while not in the same exact boat, at least are floating in the same odd, ramshackle fleet trying to make do. Hope to give you a call sometime but I know you have a crazy busy schedule.
Take care, friend, & God bless--
Josh Mackin
Posted by Yale for Carrie Castino
Hey Zach,
I'm sorry you are feeling these frustrations. I have felt many of those thoughts...or similar...during times in my life. Today's news is not tomorrow's news. Keep pressing on, my friend. - Carrie
Hi, Zach!
Your parents have been updating us on how well you're hanging in there & trusting God in an overwhelming situation. I can't imagine how hard it is and I admire your choice to persevere in a godly way.
Praise God for His ability and willingness to sustain you and allow you to soar above the storm!
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Warmly,
Amanda Hill
Zach,
Last night I spent about 10 years having a 30 minute MRI done on my head. Literally, I thought I might just die being in this tiny tube with this incredibly loud banging going on and I could not move an inch! It was like being in a tomb! I kept on thinking about every minute passing was one less minute I had to be in there. And the lady kept saying, "you are doing great, starting the next test now." And finally she said, "You are doing great, just one more test...5 more minutes." And I knew I could make it. I know that you are talking weeks and I am only talking 3o minutes, but I hated every second. I was so HAPPY to be out of that tube...almost giddy that I was not in that tube.
So, let me encourage you that it will be over soon. Hang in there Zach...you are doing great...just a few more days!
Hope you have a happy, giddy time after it is over.
Barrett Brown
From Gary and Alice Fredricks:
Dear Zac,
Not sure that we have ever met you but your parents are on our leadership team and your dad is also OUR boss in HRX! J
We want you to know that we WILL be praying for you as you deal with all these frustrations and that you will continue your resolve to seek the Lord in all this rather than turn to worthless substitutes to dull the pain. You are making wise choices as a young man and God will honor that! May God give you continued grace as you seek to do your best in the midst of bewildering circumstances. WE’RE PRAYING FOR YOU!!!
Alice AND GARY, TOO
Alice Fredricks
Lake Hart Stint/Staff Care-HRX
Orlando, FL
From Jane Hursh:
HEY ZACH!!!
Just wanted you to know I’m cheering for you as He allows you to walk/fly through this challenging phase of your life. I’m praying that He would graciously gift you with increasingly good health and that He would direct your path (contrail???) very specifically and intentionally. We’re standing in the gap on your behalf, individually and as a team. Hang in there—
Jane Hursh
Dear Zach, You can do it, man! Take it as it comes. You'll get what you need as you need it and not a moment before. At least that's our experience with the big challenges of life. He is good. He wants to help you succeed at what matters most to you.
Cheering you on and praying too.
Sandra and Bob.
Hi Zach,
I am trying again. I think my first comment didn't go through. Hang in there bro. Even though you are not enjoying this now, hopefully you will look back on this time with good thoughts. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.
In Christ,
Randy (and the Hepner gals)
Wow Zach! What a challenge you have ahead of you! We are praying for you. I truly believe God is going to give you the strength and courage to make it through. I know that you know that God is in control. I love Prov. 16:3 - "Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed." I can't wait to see what God does!
Blessings!
Brenda
For Melissa Crabtree:
Hey Zach,
I'm out in Colorado already getting ready for our staff conference. Marc Rutter (CCC leadership) spoke to our conference team this week and I thought his message was really encouraging. I took some notes so I figured I would include them here - maybe they will speak to you too. Hang in there!
• Trusting God is important. We struggle with trusting God. We believe in God but at the same time we can function like He doesn’t exist. We can think that our effort and performance is more important than trusting God. We cling to things (idols) that keep us from trusting God. Idols – comfort, a problem-free life, the success of our kids, etc.
• Jesus is always encouraging people to believe in Him and to trust Him.
• Mark 4:35-41
• What area are you having a hard time believing God in?
• What aspect of the Gospel connects to the problem that you are facing?
• Embrace the fact that storms are part of the ride of faith. Pain is part of the gain of the Christian life. But Jesus is present with us in the midst of the storm. It is normal to suffer and have problems but Jesus never leaves us for forsakes us.
• Embrace the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ was a man, a human being. He was tired and he slept in the boat. We have a high priest who experienced all the things of life and can feel our pain.
• Are you poor, are you needy, do you feel neglected by people, do you feel misunderstood – Jesus also experienced that.
• We need to realize that we are weak, distrusting and that we blame God. He knows all of that and yet He stays in the boat with us.
• Are we able to admit our sin and need, or does it surprise you?
• When we admit our need, Jesus is tender and patient with us.
• We need to embrace the fact that there is power in Jesus – He can make the winds cease in a word. That same Jesus is with us in the boat.
• Application – Expose our fears and lack of faith to one another. Think of a current place where you are where Jesus is saying “Why are you afraid” or “Why do you have no faith in me”. What part of the gospel are you having a hard time understanding? Name that unbelief.
• Jesus is in the boat with you, and that is enough.
For Amy Ramos:
Hi Zach- I work with your mom and dad. Will be praying for you- that God will meet you one step at a time and that He will show up in ways that make you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is right there.
Amy Ramos
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