It has been a somewhat rough day for me. Soon maybe this blog will carry some joy. Net yet. Just to give you a synopsis of the day. I miss my wife, Mary Ann. Some would attribute that statement to depression from lack of employment and unemployment running out in the next few weeks. Not so! I miss her because she brings joy, sanity, accountability, love, so much love, to my life; my sometimes confused life., my sometimes frustrated life. But, she can bring joy and love to my life when it is even sitting excitedly on the highest mountaintop of experiences. I am so excited to be missing her because she is such an integral part of my life and she is present in my life to be able to miss.

I do not know what the next couple of weeks will hand me. I know that I am in love with an awesome God and a beautiful woman that He created just for me. I am not in need of much because it has been supplied in abundance. I began to think after this weekend's message at our church. Am I truly listening to God for guidance?

God: I am yours to deal with as you wish. I will go where you want me to go, do what you want me to do, feel what you want me to feel. I just need to open my ears to hear your voice when the noise around me is often very loud.

I am a work in progress, but aren't we all. I just know that sanctification, being set apart for God, is also a work in progress and it fills my cup. We all need to have that exuberant feeling that God is setting us apart for His ministry and service.

I miss my wife and I am excited in anticipation of her coming home! I, I should say my home, needs some rest from the stress and uncertainty of tomorrow. I need answers to what life is getting ready to hand over to me. I need, I need, I need. It really isn't all about me. I need to step away and and be patient enough to listen until I hear. It IS All about God!

The leaves are turning. It is Fall. There is a chill in the air. Spring is nearly here.

The Night

Two posts in one day. That is a first here on my blog.

I am sitting here gazing out the window watching the cars and trucks passing by in front of our house. I often think of the fast pace of people's lives and can't get my thoughts around the purpose. People passing me in a double yellow only to be directly in front of me at the next stoplight, nearly 15 minutes later. Next rest stop 60 miles, we need to pull over, stop and rest. Our yokes are heavy. Our burdens are great.

The vehicles rush by the window. Hurry! The occupants have an agenda. Hurry! Some are headed home to family, maybe to dinner with a friend. Hurry, I'm late! Others may be finishing up the business trip in the next town. Hurry! Some laughing, crying, broken, depressed, lonely. My prayers go out to each one of them for rest, safety and peace. Please slow down avoid the hurry! Rest, listen to God's still small voice. He wants to chat.

I am also watching my life pass by: have I done enough for Christ. Has there been a lost soul that I failed to discover along my journey. Was there a "least of these" that I walked by without stopping to minister. Did I not see or hear because of my weak spirit. So, I wonder about my lack of resting in God's presence. I always say I will do better. Do I?

I do not know the value of this blog to my reader, other than it permitted you into the thoughts that permeate my mind. I have a deep concern for people's pace in life. They need to know where the locations of the rest stops.

I apologize for my ramblings. It rained today! Good night my friends.

Beau Voir Vacation

We just returned from the Smokies in Tennesee for a much needed retreat/vacation. There was joy in the morning and we experienced the beauty that God so lovingly gives us. We were in awe of his majestic presence as we rested from the stress of daily life.

Some friends from the Nashville area joined us with there precious children and our daughter, who is pursuing her PHD in Psychology at the University of Tennesee, also spent the weekend.

The cabin was named Beau Voir located in Sevierville, about a half hour out of Knoxville.

It was a wonderful experience to assist us in dealing with the stress of unemployment, which will be coming to a close in about two weeks. God has a plan and that is what we wait for as we worship and serve Him in obedience. We are okay and we will remain that way.

I am trying to stay up with this blog. There is just so much on my plate and I haven't even got to the main course yet :-). We are getting the house ready to sell in the event of no job, It is really too big for the two of us but we just love the comfort that it gives us.

The whole scope of our situation is so frighteningly unknown and as we get up in the years it seems like it should get a little more known. And even though we have our direction and life in the hands of God, it still finds us confused and afraid.

God winks and we will wake up knowing that joy comes in the morning.

God Bless all of you, your friends and loved ones. Tell them that you love them today!