Where Are You Going?

 Say you want to go to California. You don’t need no stinking map—you fill the car with gas and head out, but the highway is boring. So, a sign ahead says exit here for a tourist attraction and that sounds like fun, and your hand reaches for that turn signal. You’re still going to Hollywood, but not right now.

Wow, that stop took longer than you expected. It was fun though, but not worth the delay.  On the road again, as the country-western singer croons it. Wait, you skipped breakfast for an early start this morning. If you have an early lunch, you can really make up for lost time by driving straight thru until you’ve put in eight hours behind the wheel.

Oops! Just passed an IHOP. A U-turn won’t take long. Back on the road, again, that sunshine streaming in feels good, but soon you’re getting drowsy. Need some caffeine; better safe than sorry. Back behind the wheel. And just ahead there’s a guy on a tractor. Outa the way, Jerk. Finally, he turns off and you hit the gas to make up a little time—and you pass a Highway Patrol car, and--of course he’s holding a radar gun. He doesn’t care how important your trip is. He says he only cares about your safety. You could have bought an airline ticket for what that stop cost.

Well, this day was a total loss. Disappointed and depressed, you begin looking for a motel, promising you will get back on track tomorrow. Right off the bat you face a detour. Oh-oh! Rough road ahead, single lane only. Another long day.

Eventually the road opens up and you sigh in relief. Just ahead is a car beside the road, its hood raised in surrender and a woman pacing along the road, wringing her hands. Somebody should really stop and help her, but not you—you can’t keep having these delays. She should have planned her trip better, had her car serviced before she set out.

Okay, you can probably fill in the rest of this story. You can guess what excuses you might give for your failures to accomplish your goal. Finally you smell an ocean breeze! But the roadway sign says Miami. And no matter how sincerely you believed you were headed toward California, you now realize you were headed east, not west. What you believe does matter.

If this tale sounds vaguely familiar, perhaps in childhood years you encountered the classic story from pioneer days, PILGRIM’S PROGRESS. If the age-old legend were updated, it might sound similar to your trip. Desire doesn’t get you to your destination. Only the hated words discipline and preparation gets you there.

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Giving Thanks

As we approach the one day per year, we are reminded to count our blessings, my mind goes back over years of inadequately expressed gratitude for kindnesses and loving grace received from so many sources. In taking inventory, I realize anew how wealthy I am, and it’s not taxable!

Broad strokes considered first, I am thankful for the Christian community which helped form me. Many nations offer no right to vote or express discontent (although I think we often go overboard in exercising this right). I give thanks to the moral and Christian creators of our constitution, and for the many charitable foundations they passed to us: hospitals, libraries, schools, care for the poor and needy and for children, born or unborn. Thank God for providing Christian parents and grandparents and good churches.

I am thankful that my last employer was the best ever. Abbott Labs gave me a sense of respect and appreciation unequaled in my history, and many friends I value greatly. Pat Pool encouraged and taught me; he gave me a sense of close partnership and great desire for us to excel together. The Abbott Extras allowed me to become better acquainted with many more good people, enriching my life.

A community of writers broadened my horizon; NTPWA brought me a group of like-minded friends and two especially became life-long companions. Mell Morris has moved on to create even more perfect poetry I look forward to reading when I see her again in heaven. Betty Kurecka, my heart reaches out to you, my encourager, my supporter, there in time of need. Maybe we can learn together to Skype and shrink the miles between us since I moved away.

My family has shown me great love always, and Sandy and Keith Pipkin have made room for me in their hearts and home when my living alone became difficult. They each have made myriads of silent daily sacrifices for my comfort. I’m sure there are many times I have been unaware, or only later realized the extent of their efforts to incorporate my needs and desires into their busy lives. And they do these things not because I deserve it, but from the depth of love they so graciously show me.

In two months I’ll be 84; I thank God that I’m not approaching the end, but coming nearer to the glorious day I will see my Savior face to face.

TO BElieve OR NOT TO BElieve

Some people are so open-minded, their brains could fall out. Like, they think whatever anyone believes is great, equal in values. They don’t believe in the existence of absolute laws---like right, wrong, gravity. I don’t see any of them floating away though.

Some ideas may sound good, until you apply a little logic and find they dissolve when they get wet. And too many conflicting, diverse ideas floating around in your head may make you dizzy.

In a hospital ER, they use the term “triage” to sort out priorities determining  who will be treated first--all patients are not equal in their eyes. “First come, first serve” is not their primary concern. Mandatory rules govern here. No flexibility of emotional preference, judging which  life is more important. There are set rules governing their time-sensitive behavior, ensuring maximum preservation of life, giving priority to those at greater risk. The same discretion applies for any ideas you adopt. (All ideas or philosophies are NOT equal.)

Figure out what's important to you. Examine your heart. Search your soul. Believe in something greater than yourself. Stand for something or you’ll fall for anything. What you believe is important. Be sure the thoughts governing your life are your own and are carefully chosen. Run your virus scanner to avoid dangerous spyware being implanted to soften your brain!

Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and few are those who find it.         Matthew 7:13-14