FORTY  YEARS  IN  THE  DESERT

     This writer does not mean to sound as though he understands more deeply what Moses and the Children of Israel experienced in their forty years.  It is only being suggested that God is so much more that we can appreciate. 

     God did not create the Heavens and the Earth to set every thing in motion, and then step back to watch us act out our lives reminiscent of members in the cast of our high school senior play, Anytown, USA.

     While many think of God residing some great distance off in a place we know as Heaven, He is also as near as our next breath. He is present in the sights before our eyes and He is busy in the thought building processes on the workbench of our minds.

     And God is in the midst of the “good, the bad, and the ugly” of our lives.  The reader should be reminded that this writing project began twenty three months ago during a period of convalescence. The total knee replacement took this writer away from the garden, the golf course, and almost every thing pleasurable.  The pain exceeded expectations and explanations as well as most treatments.  Things just didn’t go right.  Yet in the midst of all this pain began a God-given project that is now ending its second year. 

     While the writer continues recovery now from the second surgery, he appreciates the affliction which brings him closer to God and to many of his friends who respond to the writings and the ramblings of their older friend.  The writer thanks all those who have stopped to take a moment and walk through the pathways of the garden prepared by God.

     Along these paths called life and amidst the rough spots and the roses...always, always allow time for God and do stop and smell the roses...they were placed there by the Master Gardener, especially for you.