I have to tell you. When I read the prompt this week for Five Minute Friday, my heart skipped a beat in excitement, my mind raced in anticipation and joy filled my being. Of course, all those are common occurrences for me, but I really, really, really was chomping at the bit to get going. I tried to carve out a few minutes — five or so — to let the mind thoughts range free, but, well, life has a tendency to get in the way.

Now it’s time. In case there is anyone out there who doesn’t know what Five Minute Friday is all about, here is a quick primer. It’s an exercise where our writing community comes together {on Friday … or Saturday in my case} to focus on a one word prompt for five minutes {or so} and put those thoughts on the screen. Then we link together at Kate’s place (http://katemotaung.com/2016/11/03/five-minute-friday-journey-plus-giveaway/) to share and uplift each other. That’s the key to entire exercise … building each other up. I highly recommend visiting Kate’s spot to get a feel of what we do — and why. I also recommend you venture out of your comfort zone and join us!

The prompt is JOURNEY. The timer is set, so, here we GO …

Journey. What a special word. When I first started writing personal columns, that’s the title I chose. Journey.

From start to end …. from birth to death … life is a journey. Some are long trips; others much too short; most somewhere in between. But always, they are just a speck on the eternity spectrum.

As we wander through this earthly journey, we experience all if we take the time to pay attention. Just as on a road trip, there will be detours, there will be potholes, there will be valleys and mountains, there will be scary urban streets and wide open rural vistas. We will get lost {without benefit a GPS}, but we’ll check the map to get back on track. We’ll be surprised, entertained and satisfied. There will be times when we just want to go back home … STOP

… and other times when we just want to keep going. We’ll get stuck in traffic or at a rail crossing {true, don’t take the back roads in Walbridge, Northwood or Oregon outside Toledo}. Other times the road is wide open where you can hit the gas and sail along. We’ll face blinding snow, torrential rain, wind, fog, drizzle and the sudden appearance of God’s creatures. But there will also be the glorious sunlight, the cloud formations that spark our imagination, the sunrises and the sunsets. We’ll come across the tourist traps, but also find treasures during an impromptu stop at a roadside stand or stop. We’ll eat on the go and find a feast at a previously unknown restaurant. We’ll meet a gazillion people along the way {okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s a lot of people, some casually, some deeper for a season, others lifelong soulmates}. We’ll travel alone, but know it is so much more rewarding to have a sidekick with you. That’s always a bonus — you not only get to experience a moment of life, but share it and share your partner’s experience.

It’s all part of the experience. It’s all part of the journey. It’s where memories are made.

I’m the ordinary Joe walking along this journey called life and I love sharing it with you! Enjoy your journey!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Every day, all through the day, you have choices. You can believe God is in control, or you can go around worried, expecting the worst. Choose faith over fear.