DECISIONS

      Decisions. We make them every single day. We decide when we need to wake up in the morning instead of hitting the snooze button. We decide what we are going to wear for the day (unless you are like me and you have to wear a uniform for work). We decide what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We decide what we plan on doing after work and we decide who our friends are. We have to make thousands of decisions in one day. In fact my good friend Mr. Google says we make an average of 35,000 decisions a day. I have a confession to make. I have to make some huge decisions this coming year. I was debating whether to write this blog. I sometimes hate being transparent especially recently. But I DECIDED to write this in the hope that you will join me in prayer as I make some big decisions. So, here it goes. Here's my story! This is not Dave complaining or asking for pity. This is reality.

     On December 14th I was at my job at Chick fil-a in the middle of my 6 a.m. to 2:30 shift.  Somehow while carrying a box I felt a sharp pain in my back. I have had back issues for years since 2005. I fell down a staircase and every once in a while my back bothers me. On this day the pain didn't stop. I tried to work through it but the pain got worse and I had major back spasms. I was told to go home and put heat on my back immediately.  The following day I went to City MD to see a doctor and was then sent to an Orthopedist. X-rays didn't show any damage and he recommended physical therapy. I went back to work that Saturday feeling good. I woke up Sunday morning feeling sick and had no voice. I took a day to rest and returned back to work Monday morning. I still had no voice and didn't feel great so as a precaution I was sent home again. Trying to get an appointment at City MD was like making an appointment to see the Pope! I finally got in after waiting on a long line at 6:30 a.m. and I tested positive for Covid-19. From December 22 - 29 I had to quarantine which meant, you guessed it...I spent Christmas alone. It was not fun and it was hard but I got through it! Being alone gave me the chance to do a lot of soul searching, a lot of praying and time to read my Bible as well as other books. Let's face it...daytime television is for the birds!!🦜

     I did get good rest I will admit that. I did a lot of thinking which for me is not so good especially when you have no other human being in front of you to talk to. Thank God for cell phones! I appreciate so much the prayers of my family and dear friends as well as those who reached out to me. I did have a dear friend make dinners for me which was a blessing I did return to work on December 30th after testing negative for Covid-19. I can't remember the last time I actually did look forward to going to work!! In the coming weeks up until this very moment I still have back issues.  I am seeing a physical therapist but truthfully I do have a big decisions to make. I am not sure my body can handle such a physical job anymore. I have been coming home in pain every night and immediately I sit on a heating pad and then I lay on my inversion table (thank you Jack for blessing me with that!) If you know me, you know my heart has and always will be for ministry. However since Covid-19 has struck our nation, churches are not hiring.  In fact, some are laying off pastors and also shutting their doors unfortunately.  My plan is to leave New York within the next 7 months or so but I am asking you all who faithfully read my blog to please pray. I really need direction as to what to do and what line of work I can handle. I need God to heal my back. Some nights I wake up after turning in my sleep in severe pain. All these prayer requests are huge. To be perfectly honest,  I have no reason to stay in NY and would absolutely love a fresh new start somewhere. I know God has a plan. He got me this far and I know He is not giving up on this guy, sore back and all.

     I am not "throwing in the towel" as they say and I'm not giving up. I know God loves me and I know He will show me what His plans are for me. In the meantime I am not sitting on my hands and doing nothing about this. Decisions are hard and I know I will make the right one. I am actively searching and looking for a new career or ministry opportunity. Turning almost 58 years of age in a week or so is not in my favor but God knows my heart. I might have to reduce my hours at Chick Fil-A to keep my health insurance. Being in pain is NOT fun. Please pray with me. I love and appreciate you all so much!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!!