When I began this blog, I
had an inspiration for its title. Faith Journey. This blog became my way to share my life
journey with others and also share my faith and inspiration. I know that each of our life journeys are
unique. Some of us speed through life,
never stopping at the stop signs, never slowing down at the yellow lights,
never yielding to others or to God. Some
of us plod along, taking whatever comes our way with a “grain of salt,” one
step in front of the other, no looking back, no looking sideways… no lessons
learned. And others of us take this
journey, this journey of faith, watching for all of the signs along the
way. When our journey tells us to speed
up, take a risk that may sometimes lead to a fall, we do it. And we reap the rewards of taking that risk. When our journey tells us to slow down, stop
and smell the roses along the way, we do it.
And again, we reap the rewards of having taken the time to really look
around and be grateful for all that we see.
I haven’t "blogged" in a long
while. That is because during this past
year and a half my journey has taken so many twists and turns, so many stops
and starts. I needed time to pause,
reflect and, frankly, process all that has come my way. So, I’d like to share a recent page from my
journal.
11.14.13
After several days, weeks,
months... of sadness, tears, anger, confusion... And, coming to the conclusion
that I needed a bigger, better newer home (then I would be happy)...
After a series of
discussions, arguments, and again, tears, over how our new addition would
look... And finally agreement and the "go ahead" to begin the
remodel … and realizing that this didn't make me any happier, it just made me
more confused.
After soul searching,
praying, and crying, crying, crying…
I finally had a light bulb moment.
And this is what I realized.
Yes, it has been a very
tough year (and a half?)
Selling our home on Peaceful
Ridge was tough.
Moving to the condo was
hard.
Making Ottertail our
permanent home was unsettling.
Planning Chelsea's wedding
(a very joyous event) while dealing with Cole's cancer (a most horrific, gut
wrenching, world-rocking journey) was soul splitting.
Leaving Red Wing, my friends, my
business relationships, my kids, and largely, my old life behind left me
feeling lost, lonely and depressed.
But remodeling our home or
buying a new home won't change this past year.
It won't change the sale
of Peaceful Ridge, it won't change Cole's cancer, it won't change anything...
What needs to change, then,
is me.
I need to rebuild in this
new life.
Create or re-create myself.
I need to build stronger
relationships, build a schedule that gets me out of bed with enthusiasm, build
a life based on blessings and simple abundance.
I will depend on God and
His Holy Spirit within me to help me embrace each day and be thankful for each
and every moment.
Thank you, Father, for
getting me to this point. Thank you, Chelsea, for listening and helping
me to reach this realization.
I feel happy and revived!
No, I haven’t "blogged" in
a long while. But I have learned much
over these past months. I have learned
that God is with us every step of the way.
He has planned our journey – Yes, even the tough times. He knows exactly where we are and exactly
where we are going. It is difficult to
see that during chaotic, stressful, sad times, but at every step of our journey,
we need to be thankful. There are days
when all I could say to God was, “Thank you, God, for whatever it is you are wanting
me to learn right now.”
So, today, especially
during this month of Thanksgiving, give thanks for being exactly where you are,
whether you are happy or sad, excited or fretful, up or down. I promise you that in just a very short time,
you will see all that God wanted you to see.
And you will be grateful for your unique journey.
In every thing give
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
O give thanks unto
the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
