Thomas Nelson - Follow Your Dreams: Wisdom and Inspiration for Graduates

SHANE WERLINGER

As I pulled up to the job site, I blew my breath out slowly. I dont know how much longer I can do this, I groaned inwardly. I popped the trunk and wandered back to grab my tools. I cinched the tool belt around my waist, the weight of the pouch an anchor to my spirits. The workday of a siding installer was about to begin.

I used to love construction. But ever since I fell off a ladder on the jobsite, shattering my left ankle along with my fearlessness, things just hadnt been the same. Whispers of fear filled my mind every time I stepped onto a ladder, and plus the work just wasnt very exciting anymore. The effort of fighting my anxieties and trying to muster some enthusiasm was wearing me down.

Later that evening I sat at the dinner table with my wife, Sandy, and inhaled the scrumptious feast shed made. But for some reason, the pork chops and scalloped potatoes didnt have their usual effect on me. Sandys cooking could always chase away the vestiges of a bad day, but the cloud that had been looming over me all day continued to linger.

Honey, I started, languidly cutting into a pork chop, Im starting to dread going into work every morning and I dont know what to do.

She looked at me thoughtfully for a moment and then asked the question that changed my life.

Have you ever thought that maybe construction isnt for you?

I put my fork down and looked into her eyes to see if she was joking. I had been doing some form of construction since I was a teenager, and Id planned to keep at it until I retired. Its true I wasnt happy in my current work situation, but leave construction altogether? The thought had never entered my mind.

I shook my head no and reached for the salt. What else would I do? I left college to work in construction. I think Im a little old to start something new, dont you?

Youre only twenty-seven. You can do anything you want to. If you want to stay in construction, Im fine with that, but do you really want to hate going to work every day for the rest of your life? Its up to you. Whatever you want to do, Im behind you.

Well, Ill think about it, sweetheart.

As we kept eating, her question sat on my lap. How could construction not be for me? I had been working on peoples houses for years. I couldnt even envision what else I would do if I didnt do construction. Still... did I want to spend the rest of my life dreading my days on the jobsite?

I went back to work, of course. The days kept dragging on, Sandys question running laps through my mind all the while. What other jobs could I do? What kind of job did I want? The more I searched my soul, the more I knew I had to act, and I started looking into going back to school. But what would I study?

I weighed all my options, and after a while one of them grew brighter and brighter until I knew God had led me to it. Soon after, I applied at a technical school to enroll in their network administration programI wanted to be a computer tech. Computers were everywhere, and I knew that there would always be a need for someone to make sure they were up and running. Plus, Id always had computer-geek tendencies. So I started classes that January and went to school for fifteen months straight, four nights a week, five hours a night.

Just because I was going to school didnt mean the bills stopped rolling in. I still had to work forty-plus hours a week. Between work, school, and homework, I didnt have a lot of spare time, and there were moments when I thought about throwing in the towel. But the light at the end of the tunnel was getting brighter, and hope kept rekindling that my goal would be met. Finally, I graduated in March with honors.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror adjusting my tie, getting ready to step into the auditorium for the graduation ceremony. As I pulled the gown over my head, I reflected on the changes that had already occurred since starting school.

After eleven months of school and getting my certification, I was able to make the transition to my new career. The previous November, Id landed a position on a computer helpdesk. I had gotten out of the elements and into an office. Now I was about to walk across the stage and make it all official.

I turned from the mirror to pose for Sandy. It had been almost ten years since I wore a cap and gown.

So, how do I look? I asked.

Like a scholar, Sandy said, adjusting my honor ropes. I cant believe this is all about to be over. I thought it would never end.

I know. Its hard to believe.

Well, you better get going, she said, planting a kiss on my cheek. Im so proud of you. With that, she left for the auditorium.

I got in line with my classmates and we were herded in to the auditorium. I sat in my seat as each speaker gave their speech. I had been waiting for this moment for over a year. Finally they called my name. I floated across that stage as I shook the hand of the instructors and received my certification.

Things have only gotten better since then. I have moved up in my field, and God has provided for us enough that my wife can stay home with our daughter, which had always been a goal for our family. When I look back now, I see Gods hand in everything. He put the question in Sandys heart, that one little question that changed our livesDo you really want to hate going to work every day? One little question called me out of my comfort zone and made our dreams come true.