A Look Back

Posted on January 13, 2018 by wisdomfromafather

Before we get too far into 2018, I probably should take a look back at 2017 … not through my eyes, but through the eyes of my followers.

According to the stat tracker, I posted 102 times in 2017. Almost half of them — 50 — were Five Minute Friday submissions. Posts were followed by 695 supporters in 68 countries {I always find that amazing} from the U.S. to Qatar. Outside the United States,  visitors came from Canada (167 times), United Kingdom (87), India (79), Germany (71), Australia (70) and the Philippines (50) among others.

For whatever reason, February drew the most traffic, with 271 visitors and 4,796 views. Cumulatively, I have now posted 722 times drawing 17,407 visitors and 35,523 views.

Based on responses, The most widely read post was Nine Years, a reflective look back at life without my wife, https://wisdomfromafather.com/2017/09/27/nine-years/. It generated the most comments and likes — by far. Next was Five Minute Friday — Need, https://wisdomfromafather.com/2017/11/03/five-minute-friday-need/, then The Church Mouse, https://wisdomfromafather.com/2017/01/26/the-church-mouse/, and A Visit with Santa, https://wisdomfromafather.com/2017/11/21/a-visit-with-santa/.

Others with above average readership were Five Minute Friday — Visit, Five Minute Friday — Overcome, Five Minute Friday — Guide, Five Minute Friday — Depend, Five Minute Friday — Discover, Welcome to Rockwood,  ME,  I Lost a Sock and Five Minute Friday — Silence.

Well, that’s a brief look at 2017 through the rear view mirror. I had my favorites — some which made YOUR list and others I was personally pleased with. Now it’s time to look forward. Watch out 2018!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. — Ambrose Bierce

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Five Minute Friday — Simplify

Posted on January 12, 2018 by wisdomfromafather

It’s time to take five minutes on a specific word prompt and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.

Yes, it’s Five Minute Friday time. The format is simple. Set the timer for five minutes and write. Don’t worry about mistakes, grammar, fonts or punctuation … just write from your mind and heart. Then, post and encourage others who have braved the exercise by linking up at Kate’s spot on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com. That’s the fun part!

To entice you to check us out, I’ve also been sharing some of the experiences my fellow writers have shared as chronicled in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week, I’ll include the words contributed by an anonymous contributor. I hope the words inspire you to join our writing club.

“I’ll never forget the night the word prompt was FEAR. I thought THIS is fear. Writing for five minutes, no edits, no time to clarify or verify! But I did it and I felt free. Now? I don’t even sweat FMF — I have fun and love community of writers.”

This week’s prompt is SIMPLIFY. The time has been set, so I guess it’s time to GO…

When I retired, I thought my life would simplify. Hah! If anything, my life is more complex than ever, but you’ve probably heard that from retirees before.

There is a difference, though. I have shed the rigors of deadlines. I now fill my calendar at will … accepting invitations, meetings, activities as I see fit.

In the six months since I bid adieu to the work place, I have taken two major trips, finished my book, re-joined Kiwanis and gotten involved in the community and at the local church . That has kept me quite busy — an certainly not simplified.

I’m not complaining. In fact, I’m enjoying my new roles. The hustle and bustle keeps my mind active … something I saw too many friends sqander in their later years. I’ve enjoyed meeting new friends and learning more about my adopted community. … STOP

… But simplify is not a word I would use.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: What would you do if you knew for sure it is impossible to fail?

 

 

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Five Minute Friday — Motivate

Posted on January 5, 2018 by wisdomfromafather

We’re back for another year of free write known as Five Minute Friday.

I hope you make it a new year’s resolution to follow — and join us — in 2018. It’s really a fun way to see how your mind reacts to a one word prompt and converts them into letters, words and sentences in just five minutes (more or less). But more important, it’s the encouragement we give to and get from our fellow writers that makes this such a valuable exercise. We get to “know” each other, support each other, lift each other up, pray for each other. It may not be in real life … but it’s certainly in real heart. It’s not just a writing group. It’s a community.

As an example, to entice you to check us out, I’ve also been sharing some of the experiences my fellow writers have shared as chronicled in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week, I’ll include the words contributed by Jodi. I hope her words inspire you to join our writing club.

“I may not be the most consistent FMF writer, in fact I can go months without posting at times. It is always in the background for me. Whenever I am stuck in my writing and need a kick-start, I go back to it. The prompts get me thinking differently. The time limit isn’t overwhelming. I am working on the not editing as I go part! It is always a good boost that often gets me writing again in dry spells.”

Our leader, Kate Motaung, sums it this way. “If you haven’t participated before, this week is a great time to give it a try! All you have to do is free write for five minutes flat. Even if you decide to write in a journal and keep the words to yourself without sharing with anyone, it’s a great exercise to stretch those writing muscles.”

After posting, we link with our fellow writers at at Kate’s spot on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com. That’s the fun part!

This week’s prompt is MOTIVATE. The timer has been set, so it’s time to GO…

Motivate … Hmmm … What motivates me, not only to write but also in life?

Fortune and fame? No. It would be nice to make some jangle or have a name, but I can’t say it’s my motivation.

Proselytize or politics? No. That’s not me. I would love to help lead others to the Lord, but it’s not my job to save souls. I might be a conduit for them, but individuals have to make that decision on their own. I can support and I can offer words of encouragement, but I can only bring them to the water. It’s up to individuals to drink.

Politics? Really? Who needs another “expert” in a world full of armchair quarterbacks. Let the politicians slide back under a rock on their own. They don’t need my help.

Teaching? No. I’m not a teacher, especially when it comes to Scripture. I have more than enough questions of my own to be pontificating to others about what’s black and what’s white. I recognize a lot of gray — and those … STOP

… answers are above my pay grade. That doesn’t mean I don’t know the basics — and I’m willing to do some research on biblical points. When I put pen to paper, I try to focus on our similarities, not our differences. I do share those thoughts, but it’s not my motivation.

So, what motivates me? That’s a tough one. I would say faith and family. By faith, I don’t mean rote words. I don’t mean the pat answer. I mean living in faith, failing in faith, being redeemed by faith. If I don’t walk the walk, no one is going to care how I talk the talk.

Family, too, motivates me. I would do anything I can for my family, always have, expect I always will. That doesn’t mean I agree with their actions all the time {that’s a two-way street, by the way}, but I hope they know I love them unconditionally. My Faith Partner taught me that.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get. — Ray Kroc

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December to Remember

Posted on January 3, 2018 by wisdomfromafather

I may have mentioned I was taking a December road trip. While I had a couple of stops on my original itinerary, centered on a Packers-Browns game in Cleveland, it quickly escalated and when Thanksgiving with the family fell through, I went  to Plan B … visit each of my children and grandchildren (in five different states), added visits with my uncle and cousins in Ohio and Indiana, a second Packer game in Charlotte, a visit with my best friend from the fourth grade in Florida, Christmas in Nashville and First Night Ocean County (NJ) which ironically was cancelled but opened more time for a visit with Millie in Toms River. What a rush!

In all, there were so many memories packed into the 25 day, 5,267.3 mile trip to New York, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The blessing for the entire trip was no major incidents … just pure enjoyment with family and friends. Thank you Jesus!

While those states are where Angelina and I rested our heads, we also traveled through Canada, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and New Hampshire before rolling into the parking lot back in Maine.

I can’t put the impact of the experience down in words. But from start to finish, each mile … each visit … each experience will be forever etched in my mind. I will draw from the experiences for years to come. It truly was a December to Remember.

I will, however, pull out my blessings during the trip. Please indulge me. Maybe you might get a little insight as to why this December was so special.

Day 1 was completed without a hitch with a restful ride through the mountains and sunrise of western Maine, foothills of eastern Quebec, mountains and vistas in Quebec and Ontario and sunset in upstate New York. It was all capped with dinner with my daughter and four grandchildren.

Day 2 included a safe trip to Ohio and good dinner with Dee, Mike, the three grandsons, Kristine and my precious three year old great-granddaughter Addi. Angelina and I met Ryan’s new German shepherd Dexter. Most of the barking and snipping came from little Angelina.

Next, going to a pro game — good. Going to a Packer game — better. Cheering the Packers to victory –the best. Sharing the experience with Maddi and my three grandsons — precious and priceless!

My blessing on Day 4 was special face time with my Uncle Dave and cousin Sharon, Miguel, Kara and Alex. It was great sharing memories, conversation, catching up and a great meal! Thanks for the hospitality!

My blessing was another uneventful trip through the snow, sun and wind on day five of the great Christmas journey highlighted by a terrific visit with my cousin Jacqueline and Dave. We spent the nearly six hours catching up from a 50 year hiatus in face time, trying to fill in some family gaps. Thanks for the memories and pizza.

My blessing Day 6 was allowing myself some me time. I know it is often about me, but today I chose to visit the Studebaker Museum … something I have sidestepped for years. Since my son was working until 8, I journeyed the extra 120 miles or so … and was it worth it! Being a former Silver Hawk owner, I was transported back in time as I viewed the display. I could see myself back behind the wheel with the instrument cluster nestled in the mother of pearl dash. I remembered the good times I had with that car. I also learned so much about the Studebaker history … which I’ll leave for another day. The visit brought a peaceful smile to my face.

A successful drive to Kentucky for a night, then to South Carolina without incident is a blessing (I’m seven days and ,2485.1 miles in). Visiting with my oldest and youngest sons is a blessing. But this morning was the ah hah moment. I took Angelina out at sunup and we headed to the back of the property line where the fall’s leaves collected. Angelina had a blast running through the leaves, stopping when she heard the rooster crow, then exercising with the crunch of the leaves. When she came to me with leaves attached to her from nose to tail, I could envision her saying this is as much fun as snow … but not as cold. We even got into a leaf throwing contest. The neighbors probably were entertained … and I was at peace.

Spending time with my oldest and youngest sons is a blessing. Good conversation. Good food (we went out for dinner). Good catching up on their lives face to face. Getting ready for our football weekend!

My next blessing was spending the night at Packers Everywhere Pep Rally in Charlotte with my oldest and youngest sons. What a rush! Hundreds of Packer fans partying in anticipation of tomorrow’s game from all over the country. And to share it with family … what a blessing. Oh, and I won a sideline Packer knit hat!

Blessing … another great day with #1 and #3 sons at the Packers-Panthers game. Would have loved to have seen a GB win, but just being with the boys…what more could I want? Certainly blessed.

Next was a transitional travel day (overnight in Jacksonville) which gave me time to reflect on the blessing I have the health, resources and, most of all, the time to take and enjoy this current trip.

What a blessing on Dec. 19 … renewing a 60 year friendship. Good memories. Good fellowship. Great meal Sandy.

Another day of memories followed with a side trip to the Gulf.

There is nothing like tapping into memories with a lifelong friend. Bernie and I spent three days talking about the girls we loved and lost, hanging out with Carmen and Murray, our days at St. Anthony’s, the friends and experiences at DBT, trips to the shore and the city, staying in touch for around 60 years, filling in the blanks, sharing the “joys” of aging. A lifetime in three days … A true blessing.

I was blessed with another uneventful travel day. Half of my December odyssey is over. Each moment has been a blessing. Highlight today was actually seeing cotton fields on the Georgia landscape, then discovering the final edit was made on my book. I have a few alterations to make and a dedication to write before we go to production! It’s happening!

For me, next was a safe trip to Kentucky AND AAA service. Day started with a hiccup — the only one on the trip. I locked my keys in the car. A quick call and a short time later I was on the road … missing most of the torrential rains.

My next blessing was spending a spectacular Christmas Eve in Nashville with my oldest son. We took a walk around Gaylord Opryland Resort (about three hours worth), took in the Ice Show (Charlie Brown Christmas) including a turn down the ice tube and capped it off with dinner and Diamond Rio. Love it when a plan comes together. Thank you Lord!

Joe and I had quiet Christmas day which gave me a chance to reflect on the reason for the season. That was my blessing.

Next, a day visiting the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, not for the nostalgia but because I got to share it with my oldest son. We also chowed down at the Corvette Cafe and Roosters. Another blessed day on a blessed trip.

My blessing Dec. 27 was getting to make final adjustments to the book on my final day in Bowling Green while my eldest son worked [from home]. It’s been a very pleasant trip thus far. Tomorrow it’s off to New Jersey with an overnight stop in West Virginia.

They say a visit from a cardinal is a visit from a loved one. My blessing while eating breakfast before leaving my oldest son’s house this morning was not one, but two cardinals  My trip has been approved on the other side.

My oldest, Joe, got rid of me and is now entertaining his daughter (my granddaughter) Kayli (we missed connecting). He spent the day teaching her how to shoot. For me, I don’t usually play scratchoffs unless I stumble upon a loose coin. I found a shiny penny and played a $5 Folding Money card. One number was worth $10 … another was $10 five times and the bonus on the back matched four of the eight slots at $5 each. In all, $80 in folding money which was the blessing because it averted a stop at the ATM for some … folding, traveling cash!

More blessings. Finally found some real snow on my trip almost 5,000 miles in and, of all places, the Jersey shore. Angelina found a friend on the Long Branch beach, kicking up snow as they raced around the sand. She was intrigued by the ocean, mesmerized by the ebbs and flows of the water and fascinated by the waves. We worked our way south, stopping in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove before visiting Millie in Tom’s River. A great visit with a great woman. Blessings are days like these.

For me, sometimes disappointments are blessings in disguise. The reason for my Seaside stop was First Night Ocean County fireworks over the ocean. They were cancelled. Seems the FD and Borough felt the sub-zero wind chill was too low for the family-oriented crowd (and a few septuagenarians as well). They might have been right. My fingers were close to numb just waiting for my sausage and pepper sandwich to go. I was also able to see the new Ferris wheel light show. Amazing! Angelina and I also scooped up some beach sand and ocean water (I did the same with Florida sand and gulf water — any suggestions how I can display them?) and took Ocean Avenue from Long Branch to Seaside, stopping to take in the various beaches and decorations on the gorgeous old and new homes along the way.

Spending my last night of the trip at middle son’s house in Massachusetts. Blessing is spending the day with family and friends, enjoying a delicious prime rib dinner with all the trimmings.

So, that’s it. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your friends. Savor every moment. I had a December to remember. Let’s all have a 2018 to remember!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Wealth is the product of man’s capacity to think. — Ayn Rand

 

 

 

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A Christmas Prayer — 2017

Posted on December 25, 2017 by wisdomfromafather

As a Christmas gift to myself, I again vowed to take Christmas off. No writing. No work.

But I did want to share a Christmas message. What to do?

Well, as I’ve doing for the past few years, I “borrowed” some words my wife wrote, which became a staple for Christmas in the Reveille/Between the Lakes. I thought it was time to expand the readership and pass her words along to an entirely new audience. And I pre-posted the blog, scheduling its release Christmas Day.

Thanks, Karen, for your timeless words and a new tradition. And thanks to all followers and readers for the friendships and comments. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with happiness, holiness and blessing.

And now, A Christmas Prayer from Karen…

For many of us, life seems to have shifted into the fast lane, and Christmas seems to come upon us earlier and earlier each year. With so much to do and little time to do it, we may find ourselves becoming grumpy, often mimicking familiar scenes from A Christmas Carol. With time at a premium, our thoughts seem to be consumed with what still has to be done or bought rather than focusing on the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

It’s not the presents found under the tree on Christmas morning, the giving or the taking … It’s not the trees or wreaths or the fancy decorations … It’s certainly not the commercialism or hustle and bustle that often puts us in a foul mood, the exact opposite of what the Lord’s birth was designed to offer.

Jesus was born into poverty. Imagine for a moment a stable birth, simply because no one had room for them.

Do we have room for Jesus today? Is He the focal point in our days? Or is He being told there is no room (time) in our busy schedules?

Ironically, that was Christ’s first gift to us – HUMILITY. No one can be great until they humble themselves.

The Lord’s precious gifts to us don’t stop there. Throughout His life, He demonstrated CHARITY, oft proclaimed the greatest of virtue.

What do we do?

Take and take some more. Dollars will come and go, inflation continues to bounce up and down, yet, there is always something we can give, but so often forget to do. Rich or poor, we can give love, understanding, compassion, a kind word or deed or a warm smile on a cold wintry day. Gifts don’t always have to be equated with the material things in life. Our gifts from the heart are equally important and can be used to help feed our own lives as well as the lives of others.

We can’t forget FAITH and HOPE. Faith is the belief in things we can neither see nor understand. Hope keeps things in proper perspective. Together, they lead to TRUST.

This Christmas, let us ask for help in attaining these virtues. And as a New Year resolution – which we can start today – let’s attempt to practice them in our daily lives.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior. Without “Christ” in Christmas we really have nothing to celebrate.

Merry Christmas to all of our readers. May the PEACE and JOY our Lord brought with Him so many years ago be with each and everyone of you.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who receives them. — Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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Five Minute Friday — Only

Posted on December 16, 2017 by wisdomfromafather

Time to turn in the missing assignment — ONLY from two weeks ago. As I alluded to, being on the road limited my access to the laptop. But with some down time today at my son’s, here goes.

But first, if you haven’t been following FMF in 2017, make it a new year’s resolution to follow — and join us — in 2018. It’s really a fun way to see how your mind reacts to a one word prompt and converts them into letters, words and sentences in just five minutes (more or less). But more important, it’s the encouragement we give to and get from our fellow writers that makes this such a valuable exercise. We get to “know” each other, support each other, lift each other up, pray for each other. It may not be in real life … but it’s certainly in real heart. It’s not just a writing group. It’s a community.

As an example, to entice you to check us out, I’ve also been sharing some of the experiences my fellow writers have shared as chronicled in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week, I’ll include the words contributed by Brandi. I hope her words inspire you to join our writing club.

“I joined the Five Minute Friday link up only a few short months after staring my blog. I’m not even sure how I came upon it, but the open invitation from Lisa-Jo Baker [who started the community] caught my eye and I couldn’t resist giving it a shot. Writing was new to me, voicing my thoughts and feelings onto a public place was both freeing and frightening. I wanted to write, but wasn’t sure I really could. Until Five Minute Friday. I felt like the new kid in school standing with a tray of food in the school cafeteria. I was unsure of myself and most definitely nervous about letting people into the thoughts in my head. Yet, with open arms I was welcomed at the table with instant friends. They encouraged, we giggled, we cried, and I grew. Five Minute Friday gave me a place to be. I learned to listen to my heart and trust my fingers as I spelled out thoughts and stories and I found my heart. I learned to laugh at the mishaps and grow in my abilities to communicate. This was more than a regular link up, this was fertile soil for my dreams.”

Okay. The timer has been waiting to be set, so let’s GO…

If only I had studied more.

If only I hadn’t eaten that fourth chili dog.

If only I followed the road well traveled.

If only. If only. If only.

Actually, those are not valid concerns. In each instance, when we came to the pivotal minute, we made a decision. We decided to close the book and … go to sleep, party, watch tv. We decided to gulp down that extra chili dog … burp! We  decided to forge on unknown trails … and got lost.

If only there was peace in the world.

If only I had more money, or better looks, or different circumstances.

If only people respected each other.

Aanntt. Wrong perspective. Those are unrealistic expectations. We can not change the world. We can be part of the solution, but we can only be responsible for ourselves. We were placed right here, right now and our responsible is to make the best of the circumstances we have been given. We are not responsible for others, but we are responsible only for ourselves. And people tend to see our actions more than listen to our words.

Only we can make decisions. They may not always be the right one, but they are ours to make. … STOP

… We only have one God-given life. It’s up to us to make the best of it … and reflect the author along the way.

And, once again, I want to wish each and every one of you a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy, Holy New Year! Keep following the Son!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: No matter what techniques and what disciplines you go through, I think there is one factor more intangible and that is the motivation to pick yourself off the ground when you’ve been totally bloodied and smashed and say, “Let’s fight some more.” — Jerome Hines

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Five Minute Friday — Different

Posted on December 15, 2017 by wisdomfromafather

Mea culpa.

I’ve been on the road for a week and haven’t really found the time to carve out five minutes for my weekly writing exercise. It’s not an excuse … just stating a fact.

Actually, I’ve thought long and hard about last week’s prompt, ONLY, so I have that one pocketed in the mind. I’ll probably post that one tomorrow — or sometime during our two week hiatus from Five Minute Friday. Five Minute Friday, of course, is a discipline where independent writers join together to transform thoughts on a specific prompt word from their minds through their fingers onto the screen for five minutes. Then we get together and share our pearls of wisdom {okay, some times they’re swine, but the intention is always good} at Kate’s spot on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com.

This week’s prompt is DIFFERENT, but before I set the timer, let me introduce you to Leighann to entice you to check us out. These words were penned in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat reflecting what the exercise has meant to the contributors. I hope her words inspire you to join our writing club.

“What I can tell you about Five Minute Friday and what it has meant to me is that it has been a catalyst to get me writing again. As a teacher in a public school my job has given me less and less time to do any kind of personal writing. My job is very stressful now. Five Minute Friday is perfect for me especially around the school year because I am disciplined now to setting aside just five minutes to write every week. It provides a venue for me to share my creativity and be able to encourage others while simultaneously being encouraged myself. I am so grateful to know that some of my posts have really ministered and blessed other women as I have been blessed by their postings as well. I look forward to the new prompt every week. Thank you to everyone who is part of this wonderful online community!”

So, now we can set the timer and focus on the word for the week — DIFFERENT. GO…

This is turning out to be a really different Christmas season. I’m not home. I’m on the road and along the way I will visit my five children at their homes, along with other family members and friends.

I didn’t even put up my ceramic Christmas tree. I was going to, but being out of town for the better part of December and not expecting to return until Jan. 2, it sort of didn’t really make sense. The only “Christmas” at my apartment is a Christmas sweater on my guard goose outside my front door.

But being different doesn’t mean I’m not in the Christmas spirit. It means I get to experience the season in a half dozen states — each with their own take on the season. I get to see the decorations at the children’s homes. I get to wander through the streets and gaze at how they are preparing for the holidays. I hope to be at my oldest son’s in Kentucky for Christmas Day and we’re planning a side trip to Nashville … STOP

… for A Charlie Brown Christmas walk through and perhaps some other fun activities. I’ve already seen Christmas parades in two states.

Yes sometimes, just sometimes, it pays to shake things up and do them differently.  You get a whole new perspective.

Well, that’s officially it for the year {although, as I said, I will probably play catch up during the  hiatus}. I’ll see you in the new year. In the meantime, I wish you all a very Blessed and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Celebrating Christmas without Christ is like celebrating George Washington’s birthday without mentioning the first president. — James N. Watkins

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Five Minute Friday — Near

Posted on December 1, 2017 by wisdomfromafather

Time for this week’s installment of Five Minute Friday. It certainly creeps up on you … especially when you post last week’s late.

Five Minute Friday, of course, is a discipline where independent writers join together to transform thoughts on a specific prompt word from their minds through their fingers onto the screen for five minutes. Then we get together and share our pearls of wisdom {okay, some times they’re swine, but the intention is always good} at Kate’s spot on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com.

To entice you to check us out, I’ve also been sharing some of the experiences my fellow writers have shared as chronicled in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week, I’ll include the words contributed by Pamela. I hope her words inspire you to join our writing club.

“I can’t even begin to share what the Five Minute Friday Free Write did for me, during a particularly hard year. With the ‘negative voice’ volume turned down, I was free to LISTEN to the words I should have listened to all along and just WRITE. It was therapeutic, heartfelt and so, so good for the soul. It was amazing how one simple word could stir up so many different emotions, not only for me personally, but the other posts I read as well. I’m forever grateful for a chance to be part of such a great group of ‘God’s Children’.”

There you go. Another voice to listen to. Another reason to join the group.

Now for the task at hand. The prompt is NEAR and the time has been set, so it is time to GO…

I’m going to play with this week’s prompt. Instead of using it standalone, I’ll be incorporating it it phrases — near and far and near and dear.

Near and far seems appropriate since Angelina and I will be embarking on an adventure next week — approximately 3,500 miles throughout December featuring two football games, visits with each of my children individually, visits with other family and friends and a visit with a special lifelong friend I haven’t seen in years. In all, we’ll be resting our heads in 12 states, culminating with –weather permitting — First Night Ocean County on the Jersey shore.

Near and dear seems appropriate as well. As I indicated above, the trip will be chock full of visits with my children, grandchildren and at least one of my great-granddaughters, cousins I haven’t seen in years and a special visit with my best friend in Florida. We talk all the time, but we actually haven’t seen each other in abut 12 years.

The whirlwind trip also …STOP

… includes two football games with my Packers playing the Cleveland Browns Dec. 10 in Cleveland and the Carolina Panthers Dec. 17 in Charlotte.

And the best part is I am making these visits unencumbered by work demands. I can actually enjoy each and every second of the experience.

So, if you see this probably filthy Subaru with Maine plates, it could be me. Honk or wave! If you happen upon the Packers-Browns game, I’ll be in Section 101 just above the Browns tunnel with my three grandsons and one of their fiance. You can’t miss me. I’m the one with the Santa beard and Packers jacket.

Near and far. Near and dear. A priceless combination.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.

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Five Minute Friday — Familiar

Posted on November 25, 2017 by wisdomfromafather

Time for Five Minute Friday. You know what that means. I’ll write for five focused minutes  on a specific prompt, then get together and share with my fellow writers at Kate’s spot on Facebook at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com.

To entice you to check us out, I’ve also been sharing some of the experiences my fellow writers have shared as chronicled in Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. This week, I’ll include the words contributed by Karrilee. I hope her words inspire you to join our writing club.

“I had been blogging for years, unavailable that there was community available for writers like me. I started way back before blogging was a ‘thing’ and in the olden days it was lonely work. But in 2012, after God called me to be more consistent with my writing, I stumbled upon Five Minute Friday and immediately fell in love. Kindred hearts … sisters, friends, fellow word lovers who knew what it meant to hit publish and to doubt … who traded secrets, and prayer requests, and belly laughter and more than a few recipes. A tribe of writers who longed for community an inspiration, for freedom and authenticity. I had no idea how much I needed them until I found them and now? Well — now, almost every Thursday night I can be found tweeting and chatting over on Twitter for the #fmfparty as we wait for the One Word Prompt. It’s a community who loves fierce, lives brave, and writes truth — in five minutes(ish) flat! It’s my favorite online community (and if you know me, you know that is saying something!) and one of the things I love the most is how, truly, everyone is welcome. There is no need to walk this bloggy world alone!”

There you go. The prompt this week is FAMILIAR and the timer is set so it is time to GO…

I have challenged my family to a daily search for blessings. For the most part, the five of them participate … some daily, some on occasion.

The reason is simply to remind them to look for that moment when the familiar turns extraordinary. Yes. As we look at life through familiar eyes or listen with familiar ears or experience with a familiar heart, the experiences lose some of their flavor. But when we look with open eyes, ears and heart, the nuances of life explode and the familiar becomes new.

Even routine tasks take on a new meaning when we stop and look with those new eyes, or hear with those new ears or open our hearts to those new attitudes and experience. Watching a familiar movie focuses on scenes often overlooked. Watching children at play is enlightening as we “see” life through their eyes and hear the experiences of their young, unjaded lives {although sometimes you do hear things that are disturbing}.

We have to extend that to all facets of our lives … including prayer time. Instead of rote prayers, reach down and explore the nuances in the Word, the depths of our hearts. God knows what we’re feeling. Often we don’t. We know something is askew, but can’t wrap our minds around it until… …STOP

Rub your eyes and look with new sight. Open your ears and listen. Open your heart and experience life to the fullest.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Pain is temporary, glory is forever.

 

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Giving Thanks in 2017

Posted on November 23, 2017 by wisdomfromafather

When you look around, you might sense there is less to be thankful about than usual as we approach the close of 2017.

It’s a natural feeling. We’re winding down, but there are still too many families separated by war. Divisions are causing havoc in the country almost to the point where we can’t have a civil conversation. The economy is improving but we all know someone still struggling paycheck to paycheck – or even worse – without a viable job. There are still too many people living at or below poverty. Our youth continue to literally be under siege – staring at experimentation and exploitation of seemingly uncontrolled drugs, unbridled sex, wanton violence and unparalleled peer pressure … all at a younger and younger age. Our families are under attack. Our morals – what’s left of them in an increasingly immoral world – are constantly challenged. There is still too much racial, cultural and class intolerance.

Life continues to be tough for families and children, for employees and employers, for church and state. Life changed after the senselessness of Sept. 11 and even after 16 years, it’s aftermath is one of gratuitous acts of violence and the ever-present threat of terrorism home and abroad.Those with family in the military feel a certain anxiousness that could dampen the holidays.

But that’s not the right feeling … not the true meaning of the Thanksgiving tradition.

Despite the problems within and without our own little circles, there is a lot to give thanks for this Thanksgiving Day. Above all, we thank God for our very lives and the lives of all we touch and who touch us. That inter-connection itself is wider than you might imagine.

Most of us this Thanksgiving will gather with family and/or friends around the table. We’ll continue the tradition started by the Pilgrims in 1621 … one that is more than turkey and stuffing … one that includes praise, thanksgiving, sharing and caring.

Thanksgiving is more than a day off to share with family and friends, sample the stuffing before the bird reaches the table or munch on leftovers while watching football games on television. It’s a day to look inward as well as outward … a day to recognize we still have much to be thankful for, despite all the problems in our nation and world.

It is truly a day for Thanksgiving.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: The world is full of bad news, but the Gospel is full of good news! — Joyce Meyer

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