I had the Fortunate privilege recently to enjoy a much needed vacation on Farmers Insurance dime, thanks to some hard work from myself, Christie, and other staff in our office. We headed to San Antonio with quite a bit of nervousness. I wasn't really sure how things might work out being our first big trip. After all I had taken a small road trip to Vancouver, Washington to see family for a weekend and it hadn't gone so well. So while we were excited to get away, we were very anxious on how things might work out. But what I didn't expect was the life changing experience this trip might hold for me(as if I didn't have enough of that going on lately already).
Being a business trip there were several conventions and sessions Farmers puts on along with all the fun. One of the sessions featured guest speaker Marcus Lutrell(the Lone Survivor from Seal Team 10). I was immediately moved as he shared his story, including the background of his upbringing and training, honoring the memory of his comrades with the details of there mission. He spoke in a manner that came off unrehearsed, from the heart, and almost as if he was in some instances reliving his experience.
Suddenly I felt an unusual calm uncertainty inside that left a flat feeling in my stomach. The challenges that I had faced up to this point felt like nothing but a simple drop in the bucket. The monumental hill I had felt like I was recently climbing turned before my eyes into a mole hill. I was absolutely left speechless inside my own head with what a man can endure as he described the events his teammates and himself endured on their mission. The impact of what I had heard really enveloped me for the next couple days in my mind. I was filled with a mixed sense of how blessed my life was and how insignificant my tribulations were, especially because mine had come from activities of pure horseplay and extra curricular joy.
Perspective is always a wonderful thing and in this thought pattern I was struck with it. The Lord only gives us what we can handle. And he reminds us just how strong and capable of the challenges placed in front of us through the inspiration of others.
The reality is I have no business comparing the adversities in my life with those of someone else. Whether I view someone else's struggles as small and insignificant or monumental, they are the struggles they have to overcome set before them. The adversity I take on in my life was given to me to shape who I am, same as those others face. I will be reminded of that by the inspiring stories of others to keep my head down and focus on being the best me that God has blessed me to aspire to. and I will Pray that my actions will remind others of the same.
