WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE AGE MAKES AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE WHO THE FRIEND IS!!

The Road Of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't KNOW Him.
But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. . . It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says. . . "Pedal."--- Author Unknown ---

This past week for a few days I have been at the bedside of my sister who had a stroke a little over a week ago. It is a very hard thing to see, when a person whom you have known all her life, have changed her diapers, cleaned her nose, held her hand as she went to first grade. Oh, so many things that make you know, really know a person. When that person thinks that you are someone else and doesn't even know your name, She doesn't know the year or how many brothers and sisters she has. Time to time with a clearer mind she would say, "Of course, I know who you are, You are Connie," and with a smile on her face squeeze my hand.

Oh, how precious the Lord is, in times like these. He gives us a strength that we never knew we had, a courage that comes directly from him. We see His healing touch in every moment that she breathes. We do not know what His will is for her yet, but we rest comfortably in knowing that she, is in His will. That trust is what sees us through.

In my young life, I never had such strength or courage or faith that His will was being done. I am thankful for the wisdom that He has given to me over the years. I see more and more the value in having years added to your life. You understand so much more and you have an eternity perspective in all that happens in your life. You are not stuck so much on the here and now or the what or wherefores. I am so thankful that God has brought me this far. I have so much more peace in giving Him my burdens and fears in life rather than me having the control over my life and its circumstances, that I once thought that I so desperately needed.

I would ask you to keep my sister in your prayers. She is precious to me but oh so much more to the Lord. When I look at her, I see an answer from the Lord. I know that I will learn much through this as will she. It will make us both more like the Him. I know that He is getting us ready for when we come to live for Him in eternity. Jean, I praying that God blesses you today and that you feel his touch in a very mighty way, that His will be done in both of our lives and that we will use those lives to bring glory and honor to Him in some way. connie