Resilience

 

My path to becoming a firefighter has been long and winding, filled with unexpected turns and valuable lessons. It all began in high school when I started an apprenticeship program to become an electrician. I was fortunate to earn high school credit while gaining hands-on experience.

After graduation, I briefly attended college, juggling electrical work on the side. One snowy December day, I found myself in need of money and took a side job in the hills outside Boise. As I was cutting a piece of OSB for a panel, I made a grave mistake. The skill saw slipped, and in an instant, I had cut through my overalls, jeans, and long johns, straight into the meat of my thigh. After a frantic trip to downtown Boise, I learned I would be unable to walk for several months.

This injury forced me into less fulfilling jobs; working as a contractor at HP, ensuring printers remained full of paper, and brewing coffee at Tully's. Realizing that college wasn’t for me, I returned to electrical work after my leg healed. While I enjoyed the work and it paid decently, I still felt unfulfilled. I knew I had a greater purpose. 

One day, seeking clarity, I hiked the foothills of Boise. Sitting on the edge of a small cliff, I looked over the city, feeling the weight of darkness of being lost in life. I noticed the flashing red lights of Boise Fire’s Ladder Truck 5. It struck me profoundly, this fire department had saved my life. As a child, I was born with a condition called a vascular ring, which constricted my airway. One night, after a feeding, I turned blue, and the fire department arrived, and resuscitated me. At the hospital, doctors discovered my condition, and after much prayer from my parents, I underwent surgery that miraculously required only a simple procedure to correct. 

Reflecting on this as I watched the ladder truck, I felt God whispering to me: this was my purpose. Yet, I had no idea where to start. After discussing my aspirations with a Meridian Fire Captain—now a colleague—I had a plan. He advised me to become a volunteer, get my EMT license, consider paramedic school, and if all else failed, join the military.

While still working as an electrician, I accepted an offer to volunteer for the Eagle Fire Department. They put me through an academy and helped me obtain my EMT license. Becoming a firefighter is incredibly competitive, with rigorous tests and interviews. However, I faced significant setbacks. The economy took a downturn, and I lost my electrician job. This financial turmoil forced me to move in with family and led me to a job in Los Angeles, working long hours on lighting remodels for Starbucks.

Despite my demanding schedule, I continued to pursue my dream, taking every firefighter test I could along the West Coast. I felt no closer to my goal, and with a daughter to support, the pressure mounted. Remembering the captain’s advice, I enlisted in the military, where I learned valuable lessons, got into shape, and cared for my family. 

Over ten years and 71 fire department tests later, I found myself contemplating defeat. Just then, the Meridian Fire Department posted a job opening—the very department I had always wanted to join. I applied, poured my heart into the process, and passed the test. To my surprise, the Captain from my early discussions was one of my interviewers. A few days later, I received that long-awaited call from the fire chief, offering me the job of my dreams.

Looking back, I can’t say I remained faithful every moment, but I never gave up on my aspiration. The Lord watched over me, guiding my path and providing for my needs. 

In life, we encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable. Yet, when God has a plan for you, He equips you with the resilience necessary to navigate life’s challenges. Sometimes, the waiting period can feel disheartening, tempting us to quit. But if I had secured a job after my first test, I may not have been ready to embrace the career I now cherish.

As it says in **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.” 

Remember, during the waiting, you are being prepared for what lies ahead. Trust in God’s timing and His purpose for you, no matter how daunting the setbacks may appear. For indeed, God is the God of the impossible