The Journey

   "The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) 

   The beginning of life ... and the beginning of the Journey. We don't think much about the journey at the beginning: everything is new! Bright lights, a new room, new faces, and what is that thing that just passed by my face .... there it is again ... oh, its my hand! What else do I have? 

   The journey begins with freshness, exploration and discovery. We meet our family, discover our spaces, and meet new friends. In the first five years, learning increases and our journey is enriched. Then comes school. How good are our teachers ... and our parents: do they encourage learning, or are they stand-offish? 

   At this point, is our life placed into a routine and are our parent's expectations input into us, or are we allowed to explore and discover ourselves and our world. God endows each person with special gifts and abilities. Our young lives and teenage years are to be times of discovery with encouragement to explore ... that is an important part of the journey!

The world has many places to explore

   As we age, there are more and more places to explore. I have watched some families cling so tight to children that they never sightsee, but stay close to home their entire lives. (I know people who have never traveled more than 50 miles from the place where they were born! Sad ... they have missed so much!)
   This world is a beautiful place. Ever year when visiting family, I traveled from the eastern seaboard, to the planes of Kansas, and also to the Rocky Mountains. Each place is so different, and each has unique beauty. God created these places to explore.

Tall Mountains have a unique beauty

   "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) In life there is a time when we are young and full of vitality. Journeys from childhood to youth to young adulthood give us experiences with which to build life. Of course there are work years (There is a time for everything), and vacations. And then retirement. If we have our health (Yes, proper diet and exercise, as well as fresh experiences help), we can extend the journey.

   Personally, I have traveled, and taken on a variety of bucketlist jobs in my early retirement. I have dug at archaelogical sites, served as tour guide, led classes as a specialist, worked as a gardener, helped in disaster relief, explored national parks, written books, participated as an election worker, driven limos as a chaffuer, and even worked the Christmas season at Macys. All are fulfilling in their own way and add variety to life.

   The journey from birth to old age ... there is but one life to live ... and so much to fit in.