Landmark

William and Blake are both members of the Longhorn Kids Club, and this year a Fantasy Football tour was planned for all the kids and their parents.  I jumped on this, thinking they would think it a wonderful adventure to see behind the scenes of the UT football team.  So we packed up and headed to Austin for the night, for the event was early the next morning. It was just the three of us and to try and bide time from watching a movie, I asked the boys to come up with landmarks from here to Austin.  I told them we would write them down, laminate them and be able to mark on them over and over for our next lake bound trips.  It was a good game and it was fun to see what they thought was worthy of a landmark.   

We began the journey with a destination of Austin, but it was funny because as the boys were watching for landmarks, they begin to notice things of interest, that they had not paid much attention to before; like the state of Texas signs on the highway going out, or the two giant flags, the American flag and Texas flag flying side by side, or water towers for the various towns. So I decided this was going to be a stop and see trip.  We stopped at the Classic Cars, and the Candy Factory and the Big Squirrel, and even to check out a big Yellow helicopter, sitting on a pad,  on the way back. It turned out to be a medical trauma vehicle, and when we knocked on the door and asked permission to get an up close and personal look, we were happily escorted to the helicopter, and the boys  were allowed to sit in it, check out the medical machines, see the cockpit and they even were given first aid kits as favors. That was by far the favorite stop, with the exception of a lunch stop where they were totally entranced by  four National Guard soldiers, in uniform, who were on their way back to Camp Mabry.  We bought them cookies and the boys were so pleased to shake their hands and get a picture with them.  

We, as Christians,  do have an ultimate destination; Heaven. But, the reality is that my focus each day is not on my final destination, it is on my to do list for this day. I have to wonder how many times I get so wrapped up in my own agenda and my projects and such that I forfeit the opportunity to recognize the landmarks that God has placed before me for my mere joy, and His glory. I  speed by them, consumed by a self focused itinerary.  Think for a minute of the landmarks of your life.  What have been some of your pivoting moments of decision, change, truth or revelation.  Are they written in your heart, do you go back to them and sometimes retrace the lessons that God taught you through them that still are relevant today?   

My little guys were excited, for sure, at the opportunity to walk the UT football field and see where the football players hang out.  But the ride to get there was every bit intriguing. God even staged live crickets to chase and catch at a couple of our stops. If we just take time to look around, and appreciate what God has laid before us, it will further cement the fact that his presence is abounding and his offerings are infinite. 

If you find yourself tattered and torn by life's advances, and your journey has been strained by sadness, fear, roadblocks, and detours, think back a minute on your landmarks.  Those times when you knew beyond a doubt that God had his hand on a situaiton.  You  prayed and in faithful restraint, you waited for God to answer. Sometimes he answered yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait, but he always answers.  God is accompanying us on our journey, at whatever point in time that we are in, regardless of location or mindset at  the moment.  If we trust God and make an effort to look for His traces, we too will find worthy landmarks that will help us to enjoy the journey. Take time and make time to stop along the way and, just maybe, you too, will be able to find joy in chasing the crickets that God has staged. 

Proverbs 2:3-5

indeed, if you call out for insight   and cry aloud for understanding,and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Dear Lord, we do speed throguh our days and fail to recognize the many offerings that you have left for us to enjoiy on the side of the roads. Help us to keep our final destination in mind but still take time to fins joy in the journey!                            

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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!