Bakersfield with the Greers

Today I road from Monterey to Bakersfield, CA to the home of Jerry and Ruth Greer. Jerry and I worked together at NPTU Charleston. He was actually my supervisor in Radiological Controls Operations. 



The Greers and I have stayed in touch over the years, and they offered me a place to stay. I had to ride inland from Monterey because of the fires and slides. The PCH was closed at Big Sur. It was great to be with Jerry & Ruth and catch up with them. Jerry retired from NPTU in 2007 and moved to Utah then to Bakersfield. He and Ruth grew up in Bakersfield. 

The Ride today went from 52° and hazy/overcast on the coast to 98° inland. Started off in my leather jacket, ended up in my riding shirt.


Today I was thinking about the past and how our experiences shape who we are. Jerry & Ruth knew me in my 20s, at a very different time in my life. They attended our wedding (Kelly & I). Jerry and I had our troubles and differences of opinion, but he always encouraged me to be the best that I could be, including school and work. I feel that Jerry was definitely one of the folks that guided me toward trying to figure out what I needed to do with my life, which inevitably led to what I am doing now. If I hadn’t lost my job at NPTU, I wouldn’t have started building houses, and would have probably not ended up in ordained ministry. So, one could say that 31 years ago it was all set in motion.

In the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, chapter 12, he talks about the “gifts of the spirit.” About how each of us is given a gift or purpose according to our ability. Paul talks about wisdom, prophecy, knowledge, faith, healing, etc. Our challenge in this life is to figure out what ability or gift we have received and how to use it to glorify God. I spent a very long time trying to discern what gift I was given and what gift better serves the people of God. While I am still working it out in many ways, I think my gift is knowledge the ability to teach. I like being a “teaching priest.”

Challenge to St. James and Self: Take a minute to read Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians. What gift has God granted you according to your ability? Have you spent any time in discernment, trying to figure out what gift you’ve received?





Location: Bakersfield, CA, USA

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