We all know there are 365 days in a year (366 in a leap year1). That means there are 8,760 hours in that same year, and more acutely, there are 525,600 minutes in a year.
Simply put 1 year is a long, long time. Or is it? One thing I’m certain of, so much can happen in just 1 trip around the sun.
If I can be transparent and vulnerable for just one sentence, this past year has been a difficult year. Filled with so many memories of good and bad that will last for the rest of my time on this terrestrial ball, life changed for me.
In a moment that literally changed the trajectory of mine and my family’s life, I found myself reeling. Groping for anything to steady my feeble mental, emotional, and spiritual footing, I turned to the people that I loved and those who I knew loved me the most.2
There was so much to be said, so much to be done. But what I found most impactful were the moments when those who cared for me most simply listened, sat with me, or prayed for me and my family. The most memorable and meaningful words were from those who encouraged me to rest.
As a quick aside, rest is hard for a hard-charging, go get it done, “what’s next?” kind of man. “Why” you ask? Because I always thought that rest was laziness or a waste of the time I could be doing what I needed to get done. But I was wrong.
What I’ve learned in the last year is that no matter the clutter, stress, ups, downs, ins, or outs; I can rest.
This doesn’t mean that life isn’t busy. Quite the opposite! In the past 8,760 hours, I’ve moved my family (TWICE), changed career paths, traveled to 8 states and driven over 35,000 miles, networked with dignitaries, leaders, and a Vice President, and loved my beautiful wife and growing men. I’ve grown deeper, stronger, and dare I say wiser as a man.
I’ve laughed and danced at weddings, wept alone watching the sunset kiss the roadside wildflowers through my windshield, and endured deep gut-wrenching pain that can only be diagnosed as a broken heart. I don’t tell you all of this to whine, complain, brag, or make you feel sorry for me. Nope! I want you to know that this is the same stuff WE ALL DEAL WITH!
As I look back on the last year, specific moments seem so close and so distant. My mind spins as I think of how quickly time has flown by. This past ride around the big yellow ball has taught me so much and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead in the next go around.
So what’s the lesson learned? It’s simple. The more things change, all the more Christ stays constant. When our feet are shuffling for firm land and our wobbly knees knock against each other, when our weak hands search desperately for anything tangible and our shoulders are unbearably sore from the weight we think is ours; there He is. He’s there in the happy dance and in the lonely tear-filled moments. Emmanuel (God with us) is walking with me everywhere I go. Or, do I have that backwards?
One year's a really short long time. Stuff's going to happen. Rest in the firm footing of fulfillment in the Maker's path.
- Yes, that’s for you smart guy!
- THANK YOU to all of you who’ve helped me through the last year. While I won’t name names, you know who you are and I am blessed to have you in my life. I will name 1 person. She’s been my sunny day, sprinkler in the summer and warm blanket in the freezing cold. Christina, you are the best wife I’ve ever had and the best mother to our 3 men.
Mid River Reflections 