EXERCISING OUR FAITH

Family and friends know that today is the end of an era for me and understand why my heart is heavy. Moving on often requires leaving precious things behind.

Still, every milestone is a measure of motion; every threshhold presents new opportunity; every new beginning promises a chance to renew, improve, grow, or achieve.

Clearly not all change is progress. (Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. Restraint and moderation are both stabilizing factors in life.) So it is important to recognize the outcomes and impact change has upon our lives. When things don't work out, we sometimes need to redo what failed. When we fall short of our dreams, we may need to renew our efforts. Sometimes it becomes necessary to reset our goals and redirect our energies. New focus and new priorities are required.

For several important reasons, Betty and I have found this to be an opportune time to concentrate on looking forward - to "cast a new vision". This too requires change, but we hope to be prudent and timely about our future.

It will be a little bit like our grandaughter Katie's confident explanation when she mastered the monkey bars: "Trust Jesus, reach out, and don't look down!"

We appreciate your prayers and support.