Traveling the Rock Road

I’ve wrote in the past how I didn’t learn to read until I was 12, and how thankful I am today for obtaining that most precious gift that we sometimes take for granted. But even though I mastered the understanding of many words and their definitions, the struggle continues with one learning disability that has stayed with me all my life–focus! Today it’s commonly referred to as Attention-Deficit-Disorder or AD/HD by the American Psychiatric Association. Endless studies have been performed on why children and adults alike struggle with hyper activity and/or inability to focus on subject matter in the same way that the majority do. In my circumstance, I can read a page, comprehend all that is written, but get to the end and not have a slightest idea what I just read. Without even realizing, my mind will drift to another thought completely blocking out what is in front of me. It can become quite frustrating to read something twice, even three times before I absorb it’s full meaning. (Side Note: this even occurs while I write my stories.)  In today’s world I realize medication has been developed to help individuals battle this problem and I do not look down on anyone who uses them. Thank God for the medical profession! But this man has chosen to meet the battle head on, working hard to improve my concentration, my focus. It hasn’t been easy and not completely successful but I have improved greatly with the struggle. Perhaps the hardest time was when I returned to school in pursuit of a college degree. The fight continued as I had to put in twice as much study time compared to other students. Still the perseverance was rewarded as I achieved the best grades ever in my life.

As I said the struggle goes on; then one day I realized something, the problem with “focus” not only was a deterrent to my mental understanding but my spiritual as well. Often have been the times when adversity and hardships have occurred, when I have forgotten or perhaps ignored the fact that God was still with me. I can look back at the past and see clearly the times I was at my lowest, and did not rely nor take it to my Lord. In my darkness moments I felt all alone, that no one understood, not even God as to what was happening in my life; that’s the same feeling I had when couldn’t read. It wasn’t until I allowed a dear and loving substitute teacher named Mrs. Cobb close enough to see my problem, and help me out of darkness.

“Vision is the ability to see God’s presence, to perceive God’s power, to “Focus” on God’s plan in spite of the obstacles.” Charles R. Swindoll

I’ll be the first to tell you it’s not an easy thing to do, but the more I read the Word, learn about the love the Lord has for me, and take everything to prayer; the more I have learned to cope with whatever life throws my way. As Max Lucado says, “Focus on giants – you stumble. Focus on God – Giants tumble.”

Colossians 3:1 “Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.”

Psalm 91:14-15 “Because he has focused his love on me, I will deliver him. I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him in his distress. I will deliver him, and I will honor him.”

Pictured here is a bracelet worn by my lovely lady; I wear one as well. It’s my reminder when things get out of whack and my life seems to be spiraling downward, I need to get my “Focus” back; I need to turn it over to God and not dwell on it. A saying many have heard from me goes like this, “Thank God for today, Trust Him for tomorrow, One foot in front of the other.”

The journey for this “Traveler of the Rock Road” still has its moments of hardship. But when I refuse to let those hardships rule me, and I put all my concentration and effort, my focus, on the fact that God is with me through everything, then the road becomes smoother. For I know I am not alone in the struggle, and that I can get past the problems. “Focus!”

Hebrews 12:2 “Let us keep our eyes fixed (Focused) on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.”

‘Nuf said.

See you next time.