Musings at Altitude

Every now and then, one specific topic doesn’t come up, but many things run through my mind and deserve at least some focus in my musings.  In this case, I have several thoughts I’d like to share:

(1) One of my favorite scripture readings is – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”  This verse is found in the Old Testament, Isaiah 40:31.  As I think about the struggles that have come at times and as I think about the challenges I face today in my personal and my professional life, this verse gives me such incredible comfort.  When I’m feeling beat down or when I feel like the burdens of this world are weighing on me to the point that I may be breaking, I find my strength in the Lord and He renews my strength.  It’s hard to explain, but sometimes in those moments of deepest despair, when my only hope is in the Lord, I really do feel like I can soar on wings like eagles.  In those moments when I’m on my knees and my only hope is in the Lord, my strength is renewed.  It’s something special and a promise that I count on frequently in my life.

(2) I turned 48 today, and I was reminded at church how special today really is.  But not for me.  We had two other special birthdays today, one for a young man turning 86 years old and the other for a somewhat younger lady that’s turning 2!  As I hit this mid point of my life, I can only hope that the wisdom I have at 86 comes somewhere close to that young man who celebrated his birthday today.  And I can also only hope that I have the faith of that child who turned 2 today.  In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  As I listened to the wisdom from the 86 year old today, I could sense that he has indeed become like a child, trusting in things unseen and putting his faith in the man who died on that cross almost 2,000 years ago.

(3) I often times wonder what is going on in the mind of a little baby.  Over the last few weeks, I’ve been a proud granddad, and I’ve shown you pictures of my granddaughter Audrey Sue.  But lately, at just 4 weeks old, she’s been smiling a lot, and even once in a while, giving us that 4 week old cheer:

I fully realize that babies eat, poop, and sleep most of the time, but this 4 week old is experiencing serenity in her life right now that may go just a little bit beyond those three vitals of early baby life.  Proverbs 15:30 says, “a cheerful look brings joy to the heart.”  My little granddaughter has brought great joy to my heart!

I’ve been blessed with three straight weeks at home and that hasn’t happened for almost three years.  In these three weeks, I’ve been able to focus on my spiritual and my emotional reservoirs, and I must admit that each of them is overflowing right now.  It’s been awesome to spend so much time with those that I love, and then also get to know to a much better level those that I now work with on a day to day basis.  Although I hit the road again this week, I’m very thankful for the blessings I received in these three weeks at home.