Inside the life of a flag person

This is one of the fun adult-sized tonka machines that I have the privilege of flagging for. Flagging consists of flipping the slow part of the sign to stop, to slow, to stop, to slow..... dodging vehicles, trying to keep up with the backhoe while it's driving down the road, and standing for hours on end (in the sun and sometimes rain). I have yet to decide if it's as easy as people think it is. Yet, it really isn't too hard unless you're super tired or get easily distracted. Or unless you're standing near the middle of an intersection at rush hour wearing bright neon yellow polyester pants in the hot, hot sun.

Many interesting things can happen while working construction. Little boys running out into traffic across broken concrete in bare feet, crazy fun truck drivers from Fiji, other construction workers on parole who can't get their car to start (ha... and I, the only girl in the group, being the one person with booster cables in my car... thanks Dad!), backhoe operators sticking cigarettes in their nose to make me laugh, drivers with stuffed animals in all passenger seats (I've seen this guy at least 8 times... not all in one day)...and many other things that are sketchy, scary, or incredibly funny.


But, the hardest part is when traffic is slow. You find yourself with a day ahead of you.... hours... to stand on the road and think. People often ask me what I do, how I cope. I love that I can say that I sing and pray all day. Because it's true. When the backhoe is running, you can sing as loud as you'd like. And even though I'm missing alot of my time I used to spend with God in the mornings (this week has been rough on that.... so tired), I have all day to talk with Him, and so I do. I don't know what's going to happen with people out on the construction front this summer, but it is my hope and prayer that they will come to know Jesus, turn from themselves (and their destructive lifestyles, even if they don't recognize it), and follow Jesus with their whole lives. I've been blessed with a few conversations with people, which I'm thankful for. Now, though, I'm on a different crew.... looks like I'll be there for the whole summer... and it's different than with other people. Sometimes I'm really not sure what to say or do. I know I want to be a light though.

Sometimes I've stuck memory verses in my pocket for the really slow times, and this last week I randomly picked one (didn't look at it until I got on the road), and this is what it says:

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies." (Ps 141:3-4)

and on the other side:

"Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts." (Romans 6:11-12)

The first verse really applies to being different than the rest of the workers... to be innocent and pure. I find that I feel awful when I laugh at things or excuse things that I shouldn't. It's amazing that this verse is a prayer... asking God to set the guard, keep watch, and to not let the writer do things he shouldn't. When my mind is caught up with Him I find myself in a place of beauty, and those things I shouldn't do barely touch me. The second verse also applies: I find myself quite often thinking things I probably shouldn't be thinking...and dreaming of things that might not ever happen...(or at least that I shouldn't be dwelling on) and I have to take all those thoughts captive and ask God to change them. The sin isn't just in my actions (sometimes I don't even realize I may be encouraging sin in other people and myself), but also in my mind. I'm very thankful that He is there right alongside me and I can call to Him, ask His forgiveness and strength any time I want.

And sometimes I question myself about why I'm doing this. My first thought is that I'm doing it to pay for university. After all, it's just a summer. But, there's really no point in just going to work everyday to make money. Looking at it that way is like saying I'm working right now to make money for university so I can better serve God afterwards. What is life really worth right now when I look at it that way? Is that all my life is reduced to? What a drag. How do people get through their days like this?! Money and an education don't last. I tried to name (during a quiet time of flagging) the bones in my body that I learned in anatomy class, and I sure didn't get very far (although a barricade fell on my tibia today...I can't remember what part of the tibia though....it's my ankle bone... it hurt so bad I felt nauseas). God wants me to follow Him right now. There's an eternal reason for why I'm working where I am, and I sure hope that the reason is so the other people will be saved. If what I'm doing doesn't further the kingdom of God or bring Him glory, there's no point in doing it or I need an attitude adjustment.


I must say that every day is an adventure. I never know what's going to happen out there, and alot of times I don't know how to respond in a godly way to things that do happen. As much as it's hard, and potentially degrading sometimes, I love being around these people because I want them to know Jesus. I know that God is the One who goes ahead of me, and walks with me through it all. I would sure appreciate your prayers while being out there... especially that God would work in my co-workers' hearts and minds, and that my life would be pleasing to Him.