Wouldn’t it be great if God placed little signs along our life road to let us know when trouble was on the way? This would give us the opportunity to slow down, take a different route or on some days just not get out at all. The truth is that in reality there is always rough road ahead. Life is hard and there is just no getting around that fact.
My lack of blogging these last few months is due in many ways to a season of roughness recently. I would be less than honest if I did not admit that it has been a challenging time in many ways. The loss of my mother law, family pet, a job responsibility change and few other things have all combined at once to lead me back to a white flag time of life.

Some people I know in these times fall apart and seek answers to the whys or perhaps lash out against family, friends or God in desperate attempts to restore balance and discover answers. It can be as simple as drama filled tirades or perhaps destructive personal actions with overeating, depression or worse.

I am lucky. First I have a long memory. No matter what I face today, it is no match for the things I have overcome in the past. Second, I have a short memory. Yesterday may have been hard but that is yesterday. Today I know is a new opportunity to start over and make the best of things. Third, I know who I am. My values, life purpose and personal vision are defined so that in times when feeling lost I can focus on these things and get back on a path of peace. Fourth I am loved. After 15 years of marriage and despite the silly things I do when stressed (lost keys, cranky attitude, forgetfulness, selfishness) my wife and family seem to always be there with encouragement. They do not give up on me.

Finally, and most importantly I have faith. Good times or bad I know that the Lord is here with me at every turn and every slip to say “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Mattew 6:34)

I hope that you have a personal foundation as well to be prepared when things get rough. If not, now is the time to get ready!