Change of Plans

Posted on by Fred D

Forget-Me-Nots

Uncertainty is a certainty of life. I can’t help but wonder if King Solomon, who exceeded all the kings on earth in riches and wisdom, had this in mind when he penned Proverbs 16:9 . . .

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord established their steps.”

I planned to be in the Greatland today, but I’m still here in the Great Smoky Mountains. Disappointed? Perhaps a tinge. But then, as I sat gazing out over the Smokies, I had a Divine Ah-Ha instant . . . a patch of sunlight highlighted a small cluster of flowers on the forest floor – Forget-Me-Nots.

Ditching my momentary, selfish little pity-party I suddenly realized, in a world rift with poverty, sickness, and dysfunction of every type, how so undeservedly fortunate I am. Ashamed and humbled, I sensed His encouraging reminder to – Keep Looking Up . . . His Best is Yet to Come!

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements, and His paths tracing out.” – Romans 11:33

I M Blessed . . . May U B 2

The Gift of Others

Posted on by Fred D

Christmas blessings from our home to yours. In whatever circumstances and wherever this may reach you, may it find you and yours resting assured in knowing His Best is Yet to Come!

This momentary adventure called Life is more often experienced in its valleys than on the mountaintops. Suffice it to say my 2022’s sojourn was one mingled with both the depths of failure and the heights of victory. The former of was regretfully of my own doings, the latter was gratefully attributable to:

  • God’s unmerited mercy, grace, and forgiveness
  • Others unmerited acceptance, encouragement, and prayers

Bottom line, this Christmas season thankfully finds Ellen and I still here happily fogging a mirror together, albeit with perhaps a tad less vigor and a few more wrinkles than in days of yore😊

You are one of the many special individuals who astonishingly follow my blog 😊. . . special not because you follow my blog for sure 😊, but special because one or more of your blog posts and/or comments have encouraged and blessed me, and made a difference. Thank you!

A retired pastor friend in Alaska recently sparked a thought of a way this Christmas to reciprocate the Gift of Others you, and countless others, have so graciously blessed me with throughout life. He suggested, “Ask them if there’s something on their heart you can pray for them about.”

Not just another quick, shallow, from the lips “I’ll pray for you” prayer, but a thoughtful, deep prayer from the heart to the One whose heart hears and answers each and every prayer in His time and way, both in Life’s valleys and on its mountaintops.

One of the glorious luxuries of retirement is time, and I’m blessed to be able luxuriate in it. So, if there’s something on your heart you feel you can trust me to pray for from my heart, in absolute total Thee – Me – He confidentiality, I’d be privileged and blessed to do so.

I’m forever grateful for the crucial piece you represent in my Life’s bewildering mosaic God chose to place there . . . it fits! Thank you for making a difference.

Keep Looking Up . . . His Best is Yet to Come!

Merry Christmas!!!

Fred, Ellen and Bullwinkle

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Posted on by Fred D

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Two lives diverged along life’s journey and, in the time we walked together, you made a difference in mine . . . Thank You

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Wherever and with whomever this may find you together with this Thanksgiving, may you experience His richest blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving !!!

Keep Looking Up . . . His Best is Yet to Come!