KEEP THE FAITH (November 29-December 26, 2022)

 

It was nice to step out of the airport and into the warmth of the Florida sunshine.  Our mid-west stay between Alaska and Florida had come to an end and we looked forward to a relaxing, lengthy visit to WYNDHAM CYPRESS PALMS in Kissimmee.

Temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s greeted us and the heated pools and hot tubs beckoned us to wade in and enjoy their inviting waters. Time was spent walking the grounds and in the adjacent neighborhood.  Gators, soft shell turtles, and numerous birds made for wonderful photo opportunities.

One great thing about Cypress Palms is the proximity of grocery stores, drug stores, and restaurants. It is the perfect place to just hunker down and enjoy central Florida. I also got to speak one Sunday at the Florida Holiness Campgrounds.

                                        REFLECTIONS

By this time next week, it will be 2023! It is difficult to believe that we have been both retired for six plus years now.  Those years have pretty much gone as planned.  Oh, wait! Covid did throw us a curve or two didn't they!  For the most part though we made our reservations at Wyndham Resorts, stayed with family and friends, and spent a bunch of time serving various churches in Alaska!

It takes a good deal of faith to set up places to be over a year ahead of time! But that's what we do.  Right now, I am booking reservations in Pompano Beach, Florida for January 2024!  Will we actually end up there?  I would say, with the last six years as history, that there is a 90% chance that we will.

Faith is an interesting dynamic, isn't it? Every day we expend some faith. Faith that, when we turn the ignition switch in the car, it will start.  Faith that when the weatherman says it will be "sunny and in the 80s, that it will be a great day for a picnic.  Faith that your favorite college football team (GO BLUE) favored by several points will move on to the National Championship Game.

Sometimes our faith in things fails.  You turn the key, and nothing happens.  You plan the picnic, and it rains all day.  Your team gets thumped by T.C.U.!

When I got married, 53 years ago, I placed my faith in our pledge to each other that it was "till death do so part"!  Has our marriage been perfect? No, but we have remained "faithful" to each other.

When I chose to become a Christ-follower, I placed my faith in Him.  Has everything worked out just as I thought it would? No, but He has been faithful in every circumstance.

Might 2023 find us excited and full of faith that it will be our best year yet!  I, truly, believe that "the best is yet to come."