Traveling the Rock Road

This is the moment in life my Lady and I have been looking toward for some time now. The start if the Golden Years. Kids raised, bills paid and a few bucks saved up to do some of the things we’ve dreamed of. Granted, you don’t have the energy that once came with youth, but still strong enough to enjoy the next few years. Some have you, “You two earned it, enjoy!” And truthfully, I kinda feel that way also. Been a long road with many bumps and setbacks before we got to this point. But now that we’re here let the good times rolls! Well, at least that’s the way we saw it.

Without going into detail this last year saw quite a dramatic change in our plans. Where we were planning trips and the like we now have a great deal of responsibility to contend with. I went into retirement, only to back off to semiretirement now. Cathy had planned to retire in March, but now will go until the end of the year. Stress and aggravation are once again part of the Miller home and right now, there is no end in sight.

It would be safe for folks to assume we’re frustrated, sad, angry or even a combination of all three. And you would be right to a certain point. This was something we never saw coming nor planned for. But it’s here and it’s happening.  So now what?!!

Good people, the one thing I’ve never wanted you to think of me is that I’m a spiritual giant in my beliefs in God. I’ve written in the past of being weak and at times disillusioned. But what I am is a man of faith who is married to a wife that holds strong to her Lord. And as we prayed and considered everything going on, this verse from Proverbs keeps ringing in my ears. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We may have been surprised at our situation, but God wasn’t. As a matter of fact, I believe He has been preparing us for this moment for years.

Rick Warren says, “What gives me the most hope every day is God’s grace; knowing that His grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God.” And Francis Chan puts it this way, “True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His Promises.”

So, at a moment like this, or as some say, “where the rubber meets the road,” do I choose to believe God is still in charge, or do I chuck it all in my grief? My Lady and I have made the decision that we will walk by faith and let God use us anyway we’re called upon. Have you ever read the story of Joni Eareckson Tada? If not, you should. Here is a giant of a gal who has put all her trust in the Lord. One quote I like from Joni goes like this, “The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough. It’s enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrows currently assail us aren’t worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon.” Wow!! If a faith like that is good enough for this precious “Traveler of the Rock Road,” then I believe the Gray One doesn’t have it all that bad.

So, Cathy and I move ahead and keep believing God’s got this! As the phrase I coined and wear on a medallion around my neck every day says, “Thank God for today. Trust Him for tomorrow. One foot in front of the other.” Besides, it’s not all bad. In every situation you can find, joy, laughter, even peace. Just may have to look a little harder.

Jeremiah 17:7–8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Hey, it’s a tough life here on the 3^rd rock from the sun. Some have it worse than others. How ‘bout we all become beautiful fruit bears? Works for me and my Lady.

Little side note. I have a few extras of that medallion I wear around my neck. If you’d like one just send me your car, every dollar you can put your hands on, write me into you will and hand over your first-born child!! Nah, I’m just messing with you. Send me an address and I’ll send it to you. Remember, I only have a few.

Have yourself an Awesome and Blessed Day–Hey, life for that matter!

See ya next time.