Life is a journey, let's travel together

So, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, reflecting on the past year and a half of my life. In this past year I have been through some of the greatest trials in my personal life, professional life and marriage. I have literally seen myself crash all the way down to the ground and I am now beginning (hopefully) to be rising from the ashes a new, stronger person. At times it is easy to look at my life and lament over the things that have happened, to sit there and wonder what I could have/should have done differently. But when I step back even further than just reflection I see more than that. I see how blessed I am and I see that I am enduring the trials that I am because something better is coming for me and my family. In this past couple of years I have lost my job, house, car, dog and almost lost my wife. I am not completely out of the woods yet, but this is by NO means me asking for pity or sympathy/empathy. This is me seeing things from a renewed perspective. I genuinely miss a lot of things that I don’t know if I will ever get back. The things I miss the most are not material things, I have learned that those are the least of my pursuits and concerns. What I miss the most is my social circle, all of my friends who were brothers and sisters who encouraged me and built me up. People who helped developed me into the person I am. If it were not for these people, I would not be so spiritually and emotionally sound through all of this. To those people thank you and I miss you all, I would love to catch up and re-kindle those friendships we had. To all of the new friends I have made, thank you for your support and friendship.

I have come to this place in my life, where I have realized the things that really matter. Even though we still don’t have our own place, I am thankful for the friends and family whom have helped us make it more bearable. I have learned a lot about myself and have grown a lot spiritually. I look at my “problems” and they pale in comparison to some of the things my other friends and family are facing. I have a family member who has been rejected by his parents, I have another who is facing divorce. I have friends who are sick and may be facing the unknown. So, when I look at the world and I look at myself I really don’t have it that bad. I have my beautiful wife and my daughter. I have friends and a job. Does this mean to settle for things the way they are? No, it simply means to not get discouraged and to be encouraged, to not focus on what you DON’T have and focus on what you DO have. It will change the way you look at EVERYTHING. I am called to encourage and support my brothers and sisters. The trials I have faced in life, I will NOT let them turn me into a bitter and beaten person, I will use them to lean and grow and become stronger and better. If the road is easy and smooth, you many be on the wrong one. Just food for thought.

God never promised us that it would be easy, just the opposite in fact. following Him was a road that is filled with adventure and chaos. Like working out and training, there is pain in the process, but that pain means that we are stretching our muscles out and that they are becoming stronger. It’s like life, through pain and trials we grow. We become better and stronger IF we learn from the situations. But if we don’t learn and we hold onto things, we become bitter and spiteful. We slowly die and it becomes a poison to ourselves and eventually others around us. I am here to tell you, it isn’t that bad. sure, things may be rough right now, but it’s for a reason, learn from it, become stronger and grow. Lean on your friends and family and when the smoke clears and the dust settles, stand strong and victorious over what has happened. I have seen my fair share of junk and life is by no means, perfect. But I refuse to give up and give in, I will continue to push to become better and to achieve greater things. Through Christ I can do ALL things.

^{Phil 4:11-13}

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.