If I see another Mc Donalds, I think I will puke...

Driving, lots of driving. Potty breaks, lots of potty breaks. McDonalds, way too much Mc Donanlds! We made a journey to visit friends and family over the Spring break. We reunited with old friends and distant family. Kevin Titus and Anika were super troopers! I couldn't imagine sitting in car seats for hours upon hours, wait a minute, yes I can, I drove for those hours! Each new destination brought new rewards. We watched our first Blue Ray Movie, Anika and Titus met new friends and had a blast chasing cats and calling cows! We had excellent pizza, marvelous Mexican food, and then there was the balloon guy. A modern day miracle worker, I mean who else could make a Tinkerbell out of balloons!? Long hours on long roads were met with joys of fellowship, food, and friendship. We want to send out a thank you to all the friends and family who put us up for a night or three.

Catching up with old friends, I realized that every one else is on their own journey, even if they aren't conscious of the path they are on. As a member of the Body of Christ, our true journey starts as we decide to follow Jesus. Christ said in John 14:6,

"I am the way, the truth, and the light, no one gets to the Father but through me."

The way to what? Really, the way to what?! Where do we want to go, what is it that men and women seek? Why do I wake up in the morning? Why do I go to sleep? One common thing I found in talking with friends and family was a sense of frustration, a disappointment, a discontentment with the place they were presently. I mean, are you satisfied, do you feel fulfilled? Even I have experienced the deep rub of the reality of a disillusioned life. You feel you are at a place where you don't belong. You feel that you should be in a better place! You feel like you should be doing something totally different than you currently are. You feel that the accomplishments that you have collected are less than satisfying. I found disappointment as I focus on my own dreams and desires for my life. And when I found myself disappointed, I would look for things to fulfill the emptiness. For me it was hobbies. One time I had an Airsoft kick, another, I was in video games, another, I was preoccupied with new technology. I was frustrated about my work and started to feel unmotivated. I felt unsatisfied, unfulfilled, and quickly found frustration as those kicks could not satisfy my soul.

Our dreams can be our own treasure. Pretty diamonds and rubies formed by the dreams and hopes of what we want our life to be. We could fill up droves of treasure chests of all our dreams of what we think is good for our families and for our selves. We hold on tight, not to dare let go, or our identity would disappear with them. Jesus told the rich man to sell all he had and to follow him and the man went away sad because he was so rich. Matthew 19:21-22

²¹Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Am I willing to let go of my dreams and trade them for God's dream and desires for me? Absolutely! When I think of the Awesomeness of God, I feel as though I should sink through the ground on my hands and knees giving Him all the Glory and Honor that He is worthy of! God, the Author and finisher of my faith knows what is best for me. The material dreams and fantasies, even if experienced will turn to dust and will rot. My soul is to be preserved for ever, one way or the other and I want to share in the incredible presence of Jesus on the day of judgement. What is a flat screen compared to souls saved from Hell? What is a nice house compared to be in the presence of Jesus Himself. How can one explain the greatness and awesomeness we will experience?

God, our Author and Finisher of our faith, has us exactly where he wants us. He has plans and purposes beyond our knowledge and conscious and it is through our disappointments and frustrations that exposes the emptiness of the world we so many times long for.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

When we are broken and left at a dead end, we can only look up. Our relationship with our Father, with Christ, is real. There is give and take. We ned to give thanks in all things. We need to give up our dreams and seek the dreams of God. And when I think of, "our dreams," I mean, human hopes and dreams that are mainly materialistic and selfish, not of the spiritual nature.

Luke 9:25

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

If we are to find fulfillment in our lives, we need to make our hearts right with God today! We need to seek His will for our lives and let go of our own will.

Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his crossand follow me.

For we do not own ourselves. We were bought with a price.

1 Corinthians 7:23

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

We pray that our family and friends find peace and confidence in Christ in every situation. To God be the glory for the great things He has done and will do!