I am back...and Going Deeper

Well, I am back from the land of classwork. My graduation day is May 7, 2006!! It feels great to be finished with all the classes and have that 20 year degree behind me.

As we prepare for the Band of Brothers Retreat in February I found a poem by Laurie Anderson that a friend gave me years ago. I think this describes where Melissa (my lovely, supportive wife) and I are right now in our journey.

Shells

by Laurie Anderson

At first I was content to look for shells on the shore.

There were hundreds if not thousands

to choose from.

Shapes

Sizes

Colors

Textures.

Then I noticed where the tide broke -

there were better shells!

Bigger,

the swirly kinds,

in perfect condition --

a gold mine!

(I am pure tourist...)

Seeing them and getting them -

two different things!

I had my methods.

I would earnestly search -

There!

The perfect shell.

Concentrate-

Now! Grab it!

Just as I reach for it, the ebb tide would suck it back out-

along with the sand I was standing on!

Not to worry, here comes the surf again-

with my shell!

I lunge for it, come back empty-

Completely drenched, fully clothed

And completely drenched.

Finally,

I capture the shell.

As I put it in my bag, I again note,

It is much better than those on the beach.

Life Lesson:

There are wonderful things-

Easily within our grasp, like the shells on the beach.

they add joy to our lives.

But

Sometimes what I desire is just beyond my reach.

I then must decide, do I stay on the beach

it's warm and dry here-

Or

Do I step out into the tide,

Where the ground slips out from under my feet,

Nothing is very secure there.

It's time to go deeper-

To trust more

Loose my footing a time or two.

For you, it is time to go deeper.

Here's to going deeper with the Father and trusting Him more than I trust myself to provide what I need to accomplish the mission He has given me.