To say my life has been chaotic would be an extreme understatement. But to say 'The Lord is good" is also an understatement. A good friend of mine reminded me recently that
"If your worst day is better than someone else's best day, then get on your knees and thank God for every breath you take in the good days and when times are tough."I know I have fiends worried about the pace I have been keeping. They look at me and say"Are you OK?" and when I smile and say 'yes' I can tell that some of them think I am lying.
But I am doing really well.
I don't know how people live without Christ, though I did learn from studying existential theory a few years ago that men can find meaning in struggle and purpose in fate..but it sure doesn't last past the last breath.
Let's start with how God is using the Scriptures to help me: I spend all spring and June in Hebrews 11-13 and I really felt the Lord reminding me that He is my father and when He presses me, it is training. He allows the difficulties to produce fruit and perseverance.
Then in July, I started a long journey through the New Testament T's- Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus and each reading has been the perfect message for the perfect day. This purpose of this post isn't to go into all of the details of my study, but there is always a powerful message from God's Word if we take time to dig and trust the Holy Spirit to lead. It truly is my daily bread!
I also read and am reading some great books- I read The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy) by Admiral William H. McRaven. I was AMAZING, fun, and useful.
I am still reading:
The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend
by Bob Drury, Tom Clavin. It has SO MANY details that I am just getting in a few pages each day. It is an awesome book as well.
Finally, I have been enjoying a book of Poetry - Songs of the Average Man by Sam Walter Foss.
Poetry really helps me to think deeply and I will wake up occasionally with a poem in my brain inspired by the great style of Foss, who wrote a poem everyday that was published in his hometown newspaper.
Exercise and Health are good- As of this week, I have 56 straight weeks of riding my Pelaton and it has been a great help to keeping my left knee pain free. I still don't eat well and my weight is a constant thorn... but overall health is good. Blood pressure and A1C numbers are good and my heart and blood work got a good report last week.
My family is a blessing. Grand-parenting is awesome and we are like any family- struggles and blessings.
And work is good- I work at am amazing place with amazing people. Our new Superintendent has been really good to work with and he is going to be good for us. I do see my role changing to more operations, but that will be God's assignment and not mine and I serve at His pleasure and His will.
I still love coaching football and hope to do that as long as possible. I hold all of it with an open hand.
I wan to fish more... I miss that therapy.
My sin is ever present and I work in a world that is at odds with God's kingdom. I long for a new heaven and earth but that is in His control..I am fine living with a need to know basis and don't worry about it.
The purpose of this blog is to record - and I hope I do it honestly. I am no hero, I want to live each day as the blessing of life and a servant of the King- the ONE who loves me and proved His love by dying for me.
I have some topics I want to explore, but football season is never easy to find time to write.
Pray for me and I will pray for you!
Jay Mathews 9/8/23
