Walking in a fog...

Good morning everybody!

I have been itching to get out on the Appalachian Trail up here in Maine, and it looks like THIS might be the weekend for it. ...maybe... I hope.

The weather report "promised" some decent weather, warm, partly sunny, etc., and I planned to take advantage. There is still a considerable amount of snow on the ground, being as it is only March 28, so the plan of the day includes snowshoes. Hmm... funny how your mind can bounce around... "snowshoes" makes me think of the following scripture... "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:36". I sure am thankful that the Lord DOES widen my path, as I am very prone to slipping and stumbling!

So... I am up, almost ready to go, and it is NOT sunny out there. In fact, I can't see. It is foggy. As to degree of fogginess, it is beyond foggy and foggier, and may, in fact be rated foggiest. I guess that would be an F3 FOG on the fogginess scale! That has not dampened my spirits, nor altered my plan to hike. Although, my hike plan may be altered. I will not hurry the morning, to go walking in a fog. Instead, the plan is to pace myself and pray, that as I make my way to the trailhead, the fog will burn off. ...

Gotta finish up, get moving, drink some coffee, and push the fog out of my half awake mind. Time to think about hiking. Perhaps I will find some sun on the way uptrail at Bigelow Mtn. ...

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5+6"

God Bless you on your path,

Stickman

Ready, set, re-focus!

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all having a stellar day! Mine has been OK... not stellar, but definitely OK!

I really did have a pretty good day. Work went fine, busy and productive. I got to make a couple of deliveries North, up Rt 201, to Bingham, and to South Solon. The mountains were astoundingly beautiful, and seen clearly on this bright, sunny day. I reflected on many things during this trip North... that it was definitely a warm day, easily in the 50's... that I might get the snowshoes on this Saturday, and Cari and I might venture up this way, take a hike on the trail. I thought, gee, I just might make it through the Winter/Spring season of chilly weather on the last 30 or 40 gallons of fuel oil in the tank! I sure hope so, as this Maine Winter has really sapped our pocketbook... and speaking of sap... the maple trees are producing quite well. I don't tap, but several of our friends do, and I pray they have an abundance of maple syrup and sweet memories, as they get together to "boil down" the sap. As I made my way down the road, on my delivery, I glanced across a small field to see an older (older than me) lady gathering from several trees she had tapped, and she was lugging a lot of sap! ... So, I then got to thinking about what I would do AFTER work. Hmmm... had to feed my brothers' bird, as he and his wife are on vacation. Then coat a couple of ScriptureSticks... let the dog out, feed her... so nice out, maybe I could rake the yard a little, in the patches where the snow has retreated. ...

Of course, I did all of those things when I got home, then decided to treat myself to a couple of "Girl Scout Cookies", and check my mail.

Well, there was an e-mail from a dear friend, a fella I used to work with in North Carolina. He e-mails me on occasion, and I love to know that he still thinks of me. Anyway, he had sent along an e-mail that you are supposed to "pass along". They are often times pretty good, and I sometimes do forward them, but mostly I am not in the habit of sending them to everyone I know. Yes!... I am the guy who always seems to break the chain! On the bright side, nothing bad has happened to me for not forwarding! .... yet... I am going to share it with you all, just because. It may not make any difference in your lives, but it may make a difference for someone. Here goes...

"Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,

I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And help me give the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.

I pray for those who don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others.

I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace , love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God! Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!
Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves!!"

For me, it made a difference because a friend thought of me, and thought that it's content would make a difference for me... it DID! Although today was OK,tomorrow will be even better, as I re-focus!...

Thank you, Randy, for the encouragement! God Bless you, and God Bless all of the rest of you, too!

Stickman