I was working as a telephone operator in 1983 when a repairman came to change a light bulb on my console where I sat. I asked, “What is your title?” and he said, “Central office repairman.” And to myself I said, I could do that.
That chance encounter planted a desire in my heart and I started telling everyone I wanted that job. By 1984, I was working that job in my hometown.
I didn’t just fall into that job by accident though. I had to take an entrance level test which qualified me to transfer into the job, but then I had to go through months of on-the-job training and company schools that equipped me to do the actual day-to-day work.
It wasn’t easy and I often said that if I had known all the things I would have to go through, I don’t know if I would’ve had the guts to try it. There were times along the way that I failed, wondering if I was going to make it, but I took one step at a time and my dream job became mine. The Lord was with me every step of the way, and I prayed through each test I took.
Peter got an image in his mind when he saw Jesus walking on the water and he said to himself, I could do that, so he called out to Jesus, “Master, bid me come.” Jesus spoke only one word, Come, and on the power contained in that one word, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. (Matthew 14:28-29 KJV)
As long as he was putting one foot in front of the other, taking one step at a time, he was doing fine, but as he looked around him at the wind and waves, his image of himself walking on water changed to an image of himself surrounded by the storm, so he began to sink and he quit walking.
“Lord, save me.” At least he had the good sense to call on the Lord in his time of trouble. Then Jesus met him right there and they walked, both of them walked, back to the boat together, on the power of Jesus word.