"you trying to tell me something?"
So the day started out like any normal college spring break, woke up, drank some coffee, wrote a blog and played on Facebook. Oh you know.. the usual...It felt like home actually, all us "Youngsters" barely able to stand up without our coffee and by 12 we were ready to take on the world, or maybe just Panama City Beach. From Fish Tacos... to Zach Whits baby... To adorable puppies with a pedophile owner....To the most amazing Jewish man named Crazy Steve.
First of all, let's backtrack and explain my life, I am a senior with a major in English. For the 99.9 percent of my readers, you all know this :D. Yet, what you probably don't know is that I have about a 30% chance of getting a job, and for the most part when people actually ask what I wanna do, I have no idea what to tell them. I don't exactly have a grin on my face when polite people ask that question and the not so polite "why?"
I don't have an answer for you, honestly I would love to write.
I would love to teach.
I would love to travel. I
would love to help people get published.
I would love to go on and get my masters. Once again, the nice people smile awkwardly and say that is a great dream honey. (Honey is the word for idiot in the south... we don't believe in hurting peoples feelings.) The not so nice people shake their head and tell me to change my major quick or I will work at Starbucks my whole life.
So now that you are all caught up from my crazy rant...From our Crazy adventures in PCB we ended up in a high class Prep Boating store because these redneck backhilled Port St. Joe boys needed another Guy Harvey shirt. So of course, Francie, Jessie and I (being the only girls) take a tour through the store, wandering, laughing oh you know the cool stuff. In the middle of our wanderings we run into this old man who was the manager of the store. First he asked the normal questions with his faint french accent "Here for spring break?" "What College do you go to?" "Where are you all from?"and the whole time he makes direct contact... taking the time to actually hear us.
It was a little intimidating.
So of course we tell him the answers to which he says... Oh you are Christian? (Learning we go to a christian school) now I am not one to throw that word around... and for the most part I cringe when people ask that question, because usually that comes with a highly derogatory statement or eye roll. Here is where he begins to throw us:
Oh I am Jewish. Do you hate Jews?
To which we hastily answer we love Jews! Crazy Steve then begins to relax and go through the preliminary questions stopping and actually conversing with each of us. In our group we had 3 ministry minded majors and he seemed to get a kick out of that! His questions were genuine and he began to really question them about their life, their motives, and their goals. Then he moved on asking questions to Francie and Jessie. It was amazing, it was like he knew exactly what to say to encourage us and push us. Finally after the intense discussion about religion, he stopped at me.
And what is your major sweetheart?
Now my major is definitely not anywhere near theirs. I don't want to build an orphanage, I haven't found my life calling in some distant land, and I can't preach sooooo..... I smiled politely and simply said "I am the rebel of the group...I am an English major". Now refer back to the top of this blog and you will understand my thoughts on how this conversation would have went. Too bad Crazy Steve had a different plan.
Favorite 3 Authors GO!
Please try to imagine my surprise..." ummmm.....ehhhhh.... well Austen... definitely Austen, I love her! along with the Bronte Sisters! Maybe add some Dickens," He smiled and got excited began telling me I have to go to England...I have to experience life.To understand my Calling, I have to stand where they stood. Now this man doesn't have to tell me this... It is what I have always wanted. As he spoke to me his excitement for my life seemed to make me feel something I haven't felt in a while. Like someone believed in me. Someone supported me.
Masters?
I want too. I laughed at this, thinking of money and life make me cringe but he kept telling me how IMPERATIVE it is go. you will never feel whole until you have went Sweetheart. Go to England, Study there... Get out! the fact that he seemed to speak the thoughts that I try so hard to conceal because it isn't rational, important brought out the most amazing sense of adventure. that I really could do it. there was more he said.. more he went on to say but this was what I kept close.
as we left I told him I will never forget those words... He will always be the man that gave me the courage to speak life into my dreams. He smiled and said that was what he was here for.
You know... I believe it. Crazy Steve spoke life to me.
5 comments:
I really like this post. It spoke to me personally because I have been going through the same motion of questions with my family and some of them are saying it's a "dream" to do what I want to do. Sam it's nice to know that I'm not alone in the English Major boat. Just wanna say--you have a lot of insight into your dreams and aspirations and that is something to be commended. I respect that tremendously. Keep up the crazy adventures, I think God is definitely showing you something through them!
I liked this too, I can really relate to a lot of this. :/
lol @ Honey is how they say Idiot in the South!
BTW I am hoping (dreaming) of possibly (maybe) going to Europe next year. Where I will get the funds for that I have no idea, but you should possibly-maybe-hope to-dream to go with me! lol
Sam, I liked your post. Now is the time to do it!! Life will get in the way later. Love the "honey" comment. Don't forget also that you can say whatever you want about people as long as you end it in "bless their heart"!
Thank you!!! That means a lot to hear Brittney, you have no idea. Joanna we seriously should go! Carey, I almost put that in there!!!
I would go back to PCB just to see Crazy Joe one more time. The interesting part about him was that he continued to ask interesting questions even in the moments of awkwardness. He was not afraid to challenge you, to push your buttons, to move you to the next question without giving you a moment to answer the question before in its entirety. After reading this, I then realized where you were coming from with God sending people to question your paths in life. (btw, sorry for commenting a week late)
This whole post reminded me of a conversation Nick and I had freshman year which was, "A Life Without Corners". God has YOUR path set but its your choice of which way you are gonna go when choices come your way. Questions about choices will be asked but as long as you ask for God to provide you that answer, there will be NOTHING to stop you. Thanks for sharing this Sam Land, it was great to meet you last week.
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