Traveling the Rock Road

I wasn’t going to write this week, but changed my mind because I wanted to share just a couple of thoughts with you, so bare with me for just a few moments. Thanks.

We finished Christmas and the last of our kids have now left leaving Cathy and I back to our empty nest lifestyle. But when the house goes quiet again I like to take time to reflect on all that transpired in the last few days. For the last week we busied ourselves with last minute shopping, meal preparations, candle making and distribution (A little thing I enjoy doing to help put me in the sprit) then of course there’s the reading of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2 and finally the opening of gifts. I love sitting back and watching the grandkids faces as they unwrap their newest treasures. From that point it’s more eating, pleasurable interaction with family and of course some time spent with guitars and singing. (It’s a Miller thing) And I smile.

Now that it’s quiet again my mind enjoys going into replay as I drive around looking at Christmas lights and listening to carols on the radio knowing that all will be gone in just a few more days; until next season. And I smile.

I’ll reminisce about my childhood and our makeshift family of mom, me, a great aunt and great uncle and two widowed ladies who lived on each side of our large home and how we gathered a tree that stood every bit 7 feet tall, then how over the years that group would diminish to where it was just myself and mom in a small apartment. And I smile.

The thought occurs to me that life isn’t perfect, but looking at all my blessings both past and present I truly feel rich. And I smile

Then there are the friends that make my Lady and I feel special by just being apart of our lives. And I smile.

The greatest blessing, Gift that I ponder is the one given by my Lord in the form of a child, a Savior that came and brought life eternal to me and all that believe. And with tears, I smile

In just a few days we’ll all be turning a new page as we ring in 2016. For most it will be no different in our lives, for others perhaps some major changes on the horizon. But the one thing we all share is we do not have any certainty on what tomorrow will actually bring.

One saying I use and some have adopted on how I approach this unknown, “I thank God for today, trust Him for tomorrow, one foot in front of the other and keep moving.”

Here’s also a New Year’s prayer I like:

Lord, You make all things new

You bring hope alive in our hearts

And cause our Spirits to be born again.

Thank you for this new year

For all the potential it holds.

Come and kindle in us

A mighty flame

So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God

And live forever to praise Your glorious name. Amen

From one “Traveler of the Rock Road” to all the others,

A Wonderful, Blessed and Happy New Year in 2016!

I pray that you smile often. See ya next year!

Oh, and in case you’ve never seen this here’s a sample of that “Miller Thing” I spoke of. 🙂