Happy Birthday/Happy Anniversary

Popi, doing what he does best!

Last Sunday we celebrated Otto's 55th birthday and Monday we will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary.  Such major milestones in life, and here we are in Pennsylvania away from family and friends!  But, we are so thankful despite the lack of familiar faces and know that God has sight of us and our futures.

I love the picture of Otto with Kenz, it just reflects who he is and what is important to him.  He carries that on in our relationship too, and after 35 years I still love that guy!

The Fog

Somewhere in Texas

Hey, it's a chilly day here in Pennsylvania and I need to get to cleaning this house!  It's been a whirlwind two weeks with me going back to work for sure.  So, this morning I've taken a few moments to spend with God and start to prepare for the next Bible Study for Advent which will begin next week.  My thoughts on preparation, for the study and the coming of the Messiah brought up in my mind a conversation I had yesterday, and I just felt I had to get some thoughts out there before I start my housework.

My friend, Cindy and I had a discussion about our study, how things were going at work, school and at home.   Our next study is on reflections from the Advent readings and focuses on preparation and the coming of Christ.  It always seems that we are preparing for something in the future, which means today's events or plans were prepared days, weeks or even months ago.  I know that we both read from some of the same materials for our quiet time so the reading from Friday popped into mind while we were chatting.  We both have issues in our lives at the moment, so different but then really very similar, that cause us to want to view into the future at what is ahead.  Some of it is out of necessity for planning, other times it is in anticipation or anxiety over what will be down that road.

Well, part of the reading suggested that God settles a gentle fog over the road ahead which prevents us from seeing the twisting path and allows us to focus on the road we are on right now.  He tells us time and time again, 'Don't worry about the future, it will take care of itself', but we stubbornly look ahead to what is to come and fail to focus on today.  He promises to be with us through it all even if we can't see where the road is leading.

With all that may lay ahead, it is important for us to remain in today and do what needs to be done for today and let God take care of the winding road ahead.  As long as it's foggy I will be reminded to focus on the present and let God handle my future.