ON THE ROAD TO TEXAS
Well, it's been a month since I've written in my journal, and the writing spirit is slowly beginning to creep it's way back into my psyche. Just over 5 months have passed since my life was dramatically changed, and low and behold, I'm still among the living and no worse for the wear.
I have taken this time to lick my wounds, reflect on my past, examine my current situation and consider my future. I have reconnected with my God and I have accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and the key to my eternal salvation in the arms of the Lord when He calls me home. I have learned that the essence of living and having a fulfilling existence is not measured in the material things that we acquire, but in the intrinsically abstract things such as love, faith, spirituality, friendship, and communing with the splendor that is all of God's creation.
I am not concerned about the physical substance of life's trappings. The cars, the televisions, the expensive vacations, the fancy clothes are not important to me. The largess of my house nor the content of it's furnishings will do nothing to enhance the quality of the time I have left to live my life. All I require is the peace and freedom to love and be loved. To rise each day and greet the day and my God, with a woman by my side who will love me only for who I am, not for what my bank account is worth.
When I came to Arizona to be with my daughter and her family, I was a broken man. I was recently widowed, had lost my career, my house, my possessions, as well as my hopes and my dreams. I was spiritually, financially, and morally bankrupt. I felt like my life was at it's ending.
When I discovered Daily Strength, I discovered that I was in no way alone. That there were many; far too many, men and women who had endured the kind of devastating blow that I had. And every one of them befriended me and helped me to understand that which had happened to me. Many of these people helped me to seek and find God. The same God who I had all but rejected. I was welcomed into the fold of the wonderful souls who helped me hold onto hope and to reach out to God for His grace.
Today, as Thanksgiving approaches, I am counting my many blessings, among them the special woman who has been so very instrumental in teaching me that I have value. Value to God and value to her. She has walked the path of grief side by side with me, sharing her own as I have shared mine. Together, we have established a bond....a bond with Jesus Christ being the glue that binds us. In a little over a week, I'll be on my way to that “Wide Spot-in-the-Road” just outside of Breckenridge, Texas, where I intend to live out my days in the peaceful, loving company of my new “bride”, Elizabeth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dXR5Dk8YNw
LUCKENBACH, TEXAS
The only two things in life that make it worth livin'Is guitars that tune good and firm feelin' womenI don't need my name in the marquee lightsI got my song and I got you with me tonightMaybe it's time we got back to the basics of loveLet's go to Luckenbach, TexasWith Waylon and Willie and the boysThis successful life we're livin'Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoysBetween Hank Williams' pain songs andNewberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the RainOut in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no painSo baby, let's sell your diamond ringBuy some boots and faded jeans and go awayThis coat and tie is choking meIn your high society you cry all dayWe've been so busy keepin' up with the JonesFour car garage and we're still building onMaybe it's time we got back to the basics of loveLet's go to Luckenbach, TexasWith Waylon and Willie and the boysThis successful life we're livin' got us feudin'Like the Hatfield and McCoysBetween Hank Williams' pain songs andNewberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the RainOut in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no painLet's go to Luckenbach, TexasWith Willie and Waylon and the boysThis successful life we're livin's got us feudin'Like the Hatfield and McCoysBetween Hank Williams' pain songsAnd Jerry Jeff's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the RainOut in Luckenbach, Texas there ain't nobody feelin' no pain
Replies
Have, A Happy Thanksgiving...
Love Ya, Barbara
I\'m filled with joy at your news!
ALL BLESSINGS! Now and forever.....
Joe,
I am glad to see you are journaling again. You were missed. Happy to hear that your path to reconecting to God is still ongoing. You will succeed. Glad you have found a kindrid spirit with Elizabeth. Congrads and have a great relationship. A wide spot in the road is all you need in Texas. The whole state will always surround you. When I flew with an airline we would fly over Texas and the Captain would ask where are we and the reply was \"Over Texas\". About half hour later he would ask again and same response \"Over Texas\". The third time same thing. The Captain then would say, did we start the engines?? lol
Hope to continue to hear from you. Have GREAT HOLIDAYS MY FRIEND.
Peace to you and Elizabeth,
Dave
Joe -- I\'m very excited for you as you begin this new chapter in your journey. Blessings to you and Elizabeth.
Hugs, Carla
Joe,
Congratulations my friend. I could not agree more with your philosophy and decisions to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Wow! congratulations Joe, I have come to know and respect Beth as one of my DS friends, and I am very happy for both of you. I truly wish you both the utmost in happiness. I confess I am a little stunned, but happy for you both.
Eddie
Joe,
How wonderful that you have found love again. From the injured spirit that remains after a loss, it\'s so difficult to put the pieces of a life back together. I rejoice with you and Elizabeth and pray that your future will only get better and better. Blessings to you. Your journal entry encourages the souls who wish to find love again. TJ
Joe I am so happy for you and Elizabeth. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and life togeather. Jane
Many happy wishes to both you and Elizabeth. I\'m very happy for the both of you.
Dan
Hi everyone...I just wanted to say \"Thank You\" to everyone for your well wishes and support for Joe and me.....As surprised as all y\'all are, I don\'t think you\'re any more surprised than we were....lol...God is Good...and we are blessed...all of us.....when we walk with Him.
Blessings, Love & Hugs.... ~E~
Oh wow - a connection has been made. Is this place turning into a matching service?? And it\'s free!! Bless you two, Elizabeth and Joe - may the Lord guide and lead you in you new-found love. (I wondered why Joe had been elsewhere occupied!) Thanks for sharing the good news! John
God bless you & Elizabeth,Joe.I\'m not a native Texan,but I got here as soon as I could(as they say here).You\'re going to a lovely bit of the \"Hill Country \"& I wish you safe journey & a happy life! HUGs to you both!
Congratulations Joe and E!! Hope you have a very safe journey there and together.
I am happy for anyone that makes a personal choice to try a different fork in the road. For some of us, that does not mean finding a new spouse. The fork in the road I have chosen is to connect with Christ and to better connect with Kaaren; to raise my children and my 7 year old sister. Once again, a personal choice. I do, however , question your reference to Eliz. as your \"bride\". Hopefully you are not living together and plan to be married and united in Christ. I would think better of you for that. peace...Kaaren
Than You to John,littlewing, Joely, and Kaaren for your support and encouragement. For ANYONE that has a question as to whether we will get married or just \"living together\", I addressed that in a comment on one of my journal entries:
http://www.dailystrength.org/people/521777/journal/2013546
I stand amazed...or maybe no so amazed, when I think that God can do whatever He wants to do.
Congrats to you both!!!