It seems almost a shame to have a blog and not post something related to the year ending or the new one beginning. We all know by now that New Year’s resolutions hardly last beyond the first few weeks and that real change comes from deep within not from a feeling you get about going to the gym a little more often.

If anything, I would have to say that my ship has a little more water in it than it needs. In other words I feel like I have been more influenced by my culture than I have influenced it.

Not that my light has been completely hidden under a bushel but perhaps I have gone through a pack and a half of matches keeping it lit during the past year.

I began this blog in November of 2006 to allow the creativity—that had mostly dried up during my 20 year sojourn at a local church—new freedom. In retrospect I realize the church I was a part of was not that much  different than many of the secular jobs we find ourselves in.

In addition, there was a lack of appreciation on the part of leadership, for those that served the body in the myriad ways that happens locally. It was a big deal to say that GOD created each of us unique, but on a daily, experiential level, this belief was not lived out. Sound familiar.

It was certainly not the “church” that Jesus died for.

And yes, in saying that, I am also saying that I perpetuated some of what I now realize is religious bullshit.

My how we have grown.

When we left the aforementioned church, another was begun to take its place, and that expression lasted a few years until it diminished to 2 or 3 couples. From 60 to 6 in under four years—isn’t it supposed to be the other way around.

Be that as it may, Sandi and I have taken to sleeping late on Sunday and getting together with our Christian friends on covered dish occasions and such. Not bad but not totally fulfilling either.

However, late 2009 and most of 2010 found us focused on our family. Our daughter Lydia had serious complications late in her pregnancy which required our attention and prayers. Yet our grand daughter Kaydence has gone from skin and bones preemie to a healthy 18 pound one year old. She is a blessing and a blast to baby sit.

Son Joseph and wife Amanda had Ayla Jade several weeks later by c-section (not the easiest way to go) and we have spent time in their house and fully enjoyed her as well.

Jessica, our oldest and her husband both lived through significant job changes in 2010 and are now better off than they were before.

All in all I see that not much in life comes easily—at least later in life. There are always situations to work through and and things to deal with. As scripture tells us it is a gift from God if we can enjoy our days and the jobs we have and the fruit of our labor.

I am also aware of the fact that I had to die to many of the things I thought I knew about the church in order to be free to actually see the pattern Jesus set before us. And though I am not totally on the other side of all of this, I have made many positive strides during the past year.

I can say that I am a little more understanding (except maybe in traffic) and calmer than in previous years. I could just be tired but I think more is at play than that.

I am grateful for my family, my job and my health.

There is more that I could say—I could get deep and wordy but that would not serve.

What I do know is that you can’t believe that it is good to stop and smell the roses if you never take the time to do just that.