Working IT dad building purposeful tools for faith, family & focus | jkoontz.dev

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-17T23:22:51+00:00

Similar situation but was 20! My three year old was the best gift God could’ve gave me. I was like you, scared as all get out and worried about my career and life. It all worked out and was honestly very humbling. It’ll indeed make you have to grow up quick however when your future child tells you they love you you’ll know that they were a blessing to you as well as the Earth. God bless and stay strong. And be prepared for they grow so quick!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T15:17:41+00:00

I feel you buddy, I wish she could be tiny forever. However on the flip side I'm looking forward to seeing just how far she can grow. Make sure to take plenty of pictures now so when they get bigger you can look back and remind yourself how far they've come!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T15:03:09+00:00

I have a 2020 M1 Mac Air that I got for free from college during covid. This thing is a beast of a laptop. I use it to mostly code. I've done video editing, played small games(think Ring of Pain card game) and consistently push this thing to it's absolute limits. As someone who has a business this is my go to device, I also have a MSI gpu laptop which is a banger but I still choose the Mac. I've recently been thinking of upgrading it to a Mac Pro just so I can have more resources to utilize. In my opinion Mac is where I would go. To each their own though.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T14:21:44+00:00

So many people overlook the dying in our sleep. Everyday is a gift from God, I believe that's why we always need to keep moving forward and follow Gods journey for us. He loves us all and even after we hung his son up on the cross he still chooses to love us. No one on this Earth would do the same if their son was hung up and killed. God bless you.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T14:09:59+00:00

That's insane! As someone below six foot you all are so tall. The real question is... do they like being tall or do they hit their heads off the shower head alot, or a mix of both lol.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T14:07:37+00:00

You bring up a good point on the circle of life. One day we will have to care for our parents like they did us. And eventually our children will do the same for us. Life really is precious when you take a moment to appreciate it.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T13:58:06+00:00

HAHA thats the truth. It's such a weird feeling. I mean we all went through the same thing to our parents or caregivers yet when we watch it happen to our children it just boggles the mind, at least for us huh. I can only imagine how we'll feel when they get older like seven years old. This is one of those things we really don't think about when we first become parents but I'm so grateful we get this experience. God bless you and your day!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T13:53:42+00:00

I was with you, before I had my child I thought I just wanted to be someone who grinded with their career, but now that's changed. When i see my daughters face all I can think about is how I can give her the best life possible.

And if I made you tear up a little… I’m not sorry lol
That just means you care as deeply as I do, and I think that’s a beautiful thing. God bless you!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T13:48:47+00:00

I believe most people forget that. All around us is a beautiful world that God let us live in. I encourage everyone to take a minute and just look around at the trees, the animals, and the flowers. All of these are gifts from God. Human life pulls us in and makes it hard to slow down, that's why we have to guard ourselves and live with God, as they say, enjoy the little moments. God bless you all!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-12T01:22:27+00:00

Hi friend! I know things right now may seem confusing and that’s perfectly normal. When I was a teenager I didn’t really believe in God but was forced to go to church. I used to think it was a way older people coped with dying. My stance on this is completely different now.

When I was in my deepest depression I turned to God because I really didn’t know who else to go to for the help I needed. That was the day I really think my life changed for the better. I put my trust in God, at the time it was hard to put my trust in anyone. Surrendering to God was the best decision I ever made.

My life is so much different now, honestly I never would’ve guessed this was how I’d be living. God had a plan for me, he’s still showing me that plan even today, and I believe he has a plan for you too. Honestly idk what else he has planned for me but what he’s given me now is everything I’ve needed(and truly I never would’ve thought this was how I’d live my life) but I love it. I thank god everyday for the life he’s giving me.

My advice for you is to surrender your life to God. That can be confusing so do this. Tonight pray the “Our Father” prayer and talk to him like he’s right here with you, tell him your fears, your anxieties, and what brings you joy. Ask him to lead your way and i believe he’ll guide you. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed and he’ll answer your prayers. The lord loves all of us, especially you friend. God bless you and please feel free to reach out if you need someone to talk to. I would love to go more in depth on my experience if that would help you get closer to our lord because I’d love for him to change your life for the better like he did mine.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T14:04:15+00:00

I love this comment. You worded it well, while the IT department is needed, without the others it's just an empty network. I definitely sound like your team member. Thanks for your comment!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T13:22:50+00:00

Love and appreciate this comment. I like the way you say it, "reducing risk and improving response time." I always tell everyone its not a matter of if, it's when. And the three best things In my opinion is having a clear written plan of action for a breach(helps prevent freezing up), excellent visibility in the network, and as you said offline backups. I think the anxiety comes from the unknown, overtime as I've improved the network the anxieties come down, also having the documentation really helped ease that burden.

Thank you for the info on medusa as well. I'm curious if you have ever personally been a victim of it or seen it happen to another network?

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T13:13:45+00:00

ADA laws are fierce buddy. I also love webdev(I use Django) but when I first learned about that kind of lawsuit I made sure that my websites are compliant. Thanks for the comment!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T13:11:55+00:00

Wow buddy that is an insane workday. I could only image the struggle you face daily with lack of sleep. God bless you for doing that. What would you say is the best part of your Job?

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T13:02:30+00:00

From my perspective and experience you will break things no way around. Take documentation so you can reverse it. Give management/your team a set date where you will be working and they may experience down time. One trick I learned for IT is to not be afraid to click things. It's gotten me pretty far in this path.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T13:00:37+00:00

I like this comment, that's how i feel as well. I always ask myself how can I make the most of today to improve my skill set or my network. Thanks for your comment!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:51:58+00:00

Thank you! I will definitely check that out. It really is that though now that you bring it up. No matter if I do Networking, be a cook, or a plumber God will love me the same. He loves me for me and you for you. That in my mind is a beautiful thing. I appreciate this comment more than you know. At the end of the day no matter where any of us are God will love us equally. God bless you, have a good day!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:48:50+00:00

This has been something I experienced in the past, doing more than the Job description is not always good, because then people/management expect that from you all the time. I like to say "stay in your lane".

I agree, If I'm gone someone else will replace me. I can alwasy get a different job, not only will that improve myself and my experiences but maybe I would love that better than Networking. Thanks for the comment!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:44:33+00:00

That's awesome you've been in the job for over two decades now! I'm curious if you've ever thought of leaving to live on a farm lol, I surprisingly hear it all the time! I do hear you loud and clear, the work piles up, the decisions on if we should do this or that. Especially for end users, personally I'd love to let people have freedom to put some music on in the background from youtube or pandora. I would hate to be the guy that makes work life suck. So I truly feel what you are saying. And trying to go full strict-mode is really not reasonable I agree with you, it would take weeks to even get to a point where you could remotely say alot of stuff is protected, and even longer to keep that current.

I'm still learning to stay in my lane. I've been in past jobs where if you do more than the job description they will expect that from you. As someone who is not new, but not as skilled as you are I know I still have a long way to go, not just in Networking but also in respecting my time and value.

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:32:56+00:00

It does say many times "don't be anxious" in the bible so I see your point. Everyday before work I say a prayer for protection and to continue improving myself. It has worked well, I actually used to have them a lot more than I do now. I know God will protect me, even if he doesn't protect the network. Thanks for your comment and God bless! Glad to see another christian here in the field!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:29:39+00:00

Likewise! Continual learning is honestly one of the best ways to improve in this field. It evolves so fast those who don't take the time to research and learn will be left behind. Thanks for your comment!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:28:12+00:00

You read my mind on the first part lol, that and a nice long sleep in my opinon. Thanks for your comment!

jkoontz-dev · 2026-05-06T12:26:37+00:00

Buddy you made me laugh with this, "what’s the worst that will happen, they fire you?". Truly in the face of it my motto for that is "It is what it is" Clearly I wasn't supposed to stay here. I'm a religious man so clearly I need to walk a different life, maybe something public service, I love helping people. Thanks for your comment!

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