Patrick Paegel

I find it interesting, how moments of inspiration often come at the most inopportune moments. I have spent many hour the last month muling over ideas in my mind trying to discover something to write about, yet my muse has been silent until now. Unfortunately, right now is the evening before my Anthropology mid term , which I am by no means prepared for, interesting.

I was flipping through my itunes recently and stubbled upon an artist who’s story has illustrated a principle I have always heard spoken, but not as often lived out. This summer while I was in Mammoth with the cross country team I had the opportunity to meet some very inspiring people; athletes, coaches, and runners who I learned so much from, by simply having the opportunity to get to be around. Being apart of this God-fearing hard charging community for even just a little was an amazing privilege but the person I left wanting to model my life after the most was the express checker at vons. His name is Patrick Paegel and along with being an express lane checker, is an anointed worship leader and aspiring Christian artist. His goal is to make it in the “industry” however it is not easy, his music video for his semi-hit single “Find Me Pure”, has less then 5,000 views, he often travels between L.A. and mammoth in order to be apart of the two communities he is rooted in, home and his music. I had the opportunity to meet him as he donned his vons apron, yet he was all smiles, extremely grateful for the job he had,even though it was not the one he truly wanted. I was told he would almost always cover shifts, work the tough shifts no-one wanted and was a model employee. Patrick believes God has called him to be a worship leader, and to the music industry and there he was checking me out with a smile so genuine it truly cheered me up.

I don't think I could do it. I don’t know if I have the patience, the faith, the trust, in short anything to truly wait on God like that. God has a plan for everyone of our lives, but God’s plan is usually not the smoothest or the simplest. There Patrick was ringing up costumer after costumer and patiently waiting on the Lord, knowing he is doing what God has called him to do at the moment. I want to be like Patrick someday, patiently waiting on the Lord, even if that means ringing-up groceries.

I spent just as long as it took me to write this blog, trying to embed the video but for the life of me it wont work! Please take the time to watch the video.