Ruth and Naomi: From Brokeness to Joy

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Ruth answered, “Please don’t tell me to leave you and return home! I will go where you go, I will live where you live; your people will be my people, your God will be my God. I will die where you die and be buried beside you. May the Lord punish me if we are ever separated, even by death!”     Ruth 1:16-17 (CEV)

The story of Ruth is often thought of as romantic and very “happily ever after.” After all, Ruth begins sadly as she marries a man, who dies before any children. But she eventually marries another man, Boaz, and ends up the great-grandmother to King David and in the lineage of Jesus. Not bad. Then there is Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, who also must go through the death of her husband and both of her sons. The story has much more.

In this time, the death of your husband and sons when you are past your child-bearing years, means you are more than alone. Often widows are homeless and starving, or worse, prostituting themselves as they have no one to provide for them. Women do not have paying jobs. And so Naomi enters a dark time and becomes, by her own words, very bitter (1:20-21). Have you ever felt that God had given you more than you could handle? Have you ever walked through a dark valley and wondered, “Where are You, God?”

Ruth, now a young widow, apparently does not want to return to her family. I’ve read that young women in her situation who return to their homes end up nothing less than a servant in their own families. They are not considered a commodity any longer in the marriage market so they care for their aging parents and the children of their siblings. Ruth makes it clear to Naomi that she will stay with her wherever she may go. Now this is quite a statement since Naomi has no visible means of support. Ruth seems to know the seriousness as she says she will even die with her. And – Ruth also says that she, a Moabite, will also worship the God of Israel. That is a serious commitment. Through that promise Ruth sets into motion the plan of God to provide for her and Naomi in an abundant way.

Ruth shows me that the Kingdom of God will be built by those who are faithful in their commitment and obedient to God’s direction even when the wisdom of the plan or understanding the direction of the plan is not clear to my human abilities. Could it be that the presence of a Moabite in the human lineage of Jesus is an early sign of God’s plan that all nations would be welcome in His Kingdom? Jesus died for the sins of all God’s children. 

And Naomi is transformed through the God-directed acts of Ruth and Boaz. God’s plan all along was to use His children to spread His Good News of His saving grace, His extravagant love. And that is the precious lesson that I am taking away today. Hope. No matter the circumstances of my life and the lives of God’s children throughout the world, there is always Hope, not just in a better tomorrow, but in the promise from God for the forever, without end life. When I lift up my eyes to look past what is in the now and focus with sight given to me by God’s Spirit, I can see my LORD and know His love for me (Psalm 121).

So You Would Come written by Russell Fragar and sung by Darlene Zschech

 

 

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Peter and John

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Peter turned and saw Jesus’ favorite disciple following them. He was the same one who had sat next to Jesus at the meal and had asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw that disciple, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return? You must follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the other disciples that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say he would not die. He simply said, “What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return?”     John 21:20-23 (CEV)

I’m looking at some relationships in the Bible this week. I think God is building on His lesson to me yesterday: His teachings are simple but often not easy to bring into my life.

The Bible does not give me in depth biographies of the people. The people are there to reflect and bear witness to God, not themselves. But I can learn about these people through their relationship with God.

To me, Peter and John seem very different men. In my mind’s eye, Peter is big and very athletic. He is a man of action. In the gospels I do not get the impression that he is a deep thinker who considers the consequences of his actions before he acts! John, in my mind, is younger by several years than the other 11 disciples. He is quiet and gentle and yet he wants to be counted equally in the group. Both of these men are perceived by the gospel writers to be two of the three inner circle who are present at the Transfiguration and when Jesus raises the young girl from death. And then, at the end of John’s gospel, I read these few verses and sense a tension might have been between Peter and John throughout their relationship. Could it have come from John’s proclamation that he is “the disciple that Jesus loved”? Peter was noted by Jesus to be the Rock that He would build His Church, a leader certainly. In these verses, Peter puts his attention on the plans Jesus had for John instead reflecting on what Jesus had just said to him about taking care of His sheep (John 21:15-19).

Too often my eyes and focus are drawn to what other people are doing in God’s Kingdom instead of tending to my God-given mission. Their jobs may seem easier or more important, more visible. I may even see their mission is to support others and wonder why they aren’t supporting me.

Jesus does not mince words in His response to Peter’s inquiry about John’s work. “What is it to you? You must follow Me.” Jesus is telling me to keep my eyes on Him and the path He is leading me on. What others are doing – that is between Him and them.

Peter must have learned from Jesus’ rebuke because there is no mention of John in his letters. And John does not mention Peter in his letters. They kept their focus on Christ and His Kingdom. I want to take that lesson to my heart today.

Now the end of all things is near;therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.      1 Peter 4:7-11 (HCSB)

Be Thou My Vision written by Dallán Forgaill and sung by Alison Krauss

 

 

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Oh, Bother!

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[Moses said,] You know God’s laws, and it isn’t impossible to obey them. 12 His commands aren’t in heaven, so you can’t excuse yourselves by saying, “How can we obey the Lord’s commands? They are in heaven, and no one can go up to get them, then bring them down and explain them to us.” 13 And you can’t say, “How can we obey the Lord’s commands? They are across the sea, and someone must go across, then bring them back and explain them to us.” 14 No, these commands are nearby and you know them by heart. All you have to do is obey!       Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (CEV)

Lectonary texts: Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 82, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37

“Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.” – Mark Twain

I was raised in Missouri. I grew up reading Mark Twain. It was interesting to me to discover this quote from a very humorous author. I don’t think he was laughing when he said this. In fact, there is a fair amount of discussion as to whether Twain was a Christian or an atheist. My husband has a number of friends who are atheists. I am grateful to God that He has called servants like Henry. Most atheists I have met were once Christians, often raised in a Christian home, and then when they got to their teens and 20’s and had questions, those around them rejected the questions and/or gave bad information.

The lectionary this week speaks to me about God’s communication of His Law and love to His children. Moses begins by telling me that God sent His Law tangibly to His children. He began with The Ten and then gave Moses all the details. Jesus then completed the instruction by telling me that if I have questions about the all of it, I can boil it down to two – love God and love my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:37-40).

The psalmist tells me in Psalm 82 that my LORD is not the only god who sets forth laws – He is the only one who does so justly and fair. The warning is given to those who oppress the poor and orphans. What am I doing for the poor and needy?

Paul’s letter to the Colossians teaches me about living a holy life. The letter begins with rejoicing about how the Good News has gone out into all the world. The news is not just a list of do’s and don’t’s but about God’s love for His children. God’s Laws can be lamps that light our way on His path. A path that He purchased through His Son, Jesus. On this path we live a fruitful life that is filled with the Holy Spirit who continues to teach us and so we grow in our relationship with God.

And this week’s lectionary texts concludes with Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan. And here is where Scripture meets Mark Twain’s observation. I do not have any questions about what Jesus is teaching. I am to love and serve those who are my neighbors. And Jesus’ definition of neighbor includes those that I may not like. I may have a good reason for not liking them but Jesus breaks down all of that with His example of a Jew being cared for by a Samaritan. Take a moment and put yourself beaten and hurt and someone (a member of the worse people group you can think of) comes along, picks you up, takes you to the nearest hospital and pays your bill. Now reverse the roles and that person is hurt and you are the one to care for him/her. What do you do?

And so I think about passages of Scripture. Passages that I know. Verses that bother me because they call me to a holy life that may involve giving up “my way.” Verses that bother me because me because I struggle to reconcile what I read about God with what I experience with God. Isn’t that what a growing relationship is about?

I Live to Know You written and sung by Darlene Zschech

 

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Land That I Love?

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Sing a new song to the Lord!
He has worked miracles,
and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.
2 The Lord has shown the nations
that he has the power to save and to bring justice.
3 God has been faithful in his love for Israel,
and his saving power is seen everywhere on earth.

4 Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs
in praise of the Lord.
5 Make music for him on harps.
Play beautiful melodies!
6 Sound the trumpets and horns
and celebrate with joyful songs for our Lord and King!

7 Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures,
and the earth to shout with all of its people.
8 Order the rivers to clap their hands,
and all of the hills to sing together.
9 Let them worship the Lord!
He is coming to judge everyone on the earth,
and he will be honest and fair.       Psalm 98 (CEV)

While many spend their July 4th with large groups of people and a table groaning under the weight of the displayed food, my idea of a great July holiday involves watching patriotic movies (Yankee Doodle Dandy, Independence Day) and fireworks on TV. I come away from the day with a renewed desire in my heart to pray for this country and the people.

There are so many negative things that could be said about this country, the decisions that are being made, or the direction that it seems to be taking. But instead of spending our time digging into the negative, digging into the mud, why not step up on to the high road and look at the real power and toward the real victory.

He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.
The Lord has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice.

The psalmist knows this about the LORD. Do we? Do we live our lives, do we look at our nation like we know that God is powerful and has already won the victory? God is in the miracle business. And if prayer is about us having a conversation with God and allowing Him to show us the way to His way, then do we live our lives with hope and a belief that God is the one in control, not a president or king or Congress? My prayer is that we all learn to spend time conversing with God and making the choice to learn and be obedient to His way.

If I believe in the power of God and in His victory, then I can pray with a full heart for my President, whoever he/she is. I can pray for the Congress no matter what they do or do not do. I can pray for God’s wisdom to descend on the Supreme Court no matter who is on the Court. And no matter what I see with my eyes, I can rejoice because I know that God is honest and fair. I put my trust in God, not in any man or woman.

Look around this beautiful country. Look at the oceans, the rivers, the mountains, the farmlands. Look at the children, the senior saints, and young people who are teaching me about how to reach out to people and in their “little bit” can be used by God to make great changes. Let us be encouraged today as we join in the prayer God, Bless America.

God Bless America written by Irving Berlin and sung by Kate Smith

 

 

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Let the LORD’S Freedom Ring!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state,14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.       1 Peter 2:13-17 (NLT)

In the next 36 hours, we in the United States will hear a lot about freedom and liberty as we celebrate the 237th birthday of our nation. The words of Peter and the actions of Jesus may cause some discomfort to us, much like a small rock that has slipped inside of our shoe.

Jesus lived His time, not in criticizing the Roman authorities, but He advocated paying your taxes (Matthew 17:24-27) and rebuked His followers when they raised their weapons against the soldiers (John 18:10-11). Jesus kept His focus on the building of His Kingdom that was eternal and did not get distracted by the paganism and persecutions of this temporary kingdom He lived in.

We have much to celebrate about our country, the United States of America. In times of disasters and tragedies we reach out and across our usual boundaries to help and support each other.

Peter exhorts us, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to lead our lives honorably. No matter what policies may be enacted in our government, we are free in ways beyond man’s laws. This does not mean that we use that freedom as an excuse to be disobedient and evil against those with whom we disagree but instead we are to respect everyone. Yes, even those we do not agree with. Notice Peter says, “Fear God and respect the president.” Do I conduct myself and speak openly and in my heart like I fear God? If I fear God, then I will also respect my president and those in authority.

Tomorrow will be a day of family, food, and fireworks. I hope it will also be a day for prayer. I will be praying blessings on President Obama, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and this country.

Thank You, LORD, that You placed me in this country. May Your freedom ring throughout the world to all of Your children. I lift up all the soldiers and their families today. Keep Your hand of protection and mercy on them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I’m Proud to be an American written and sung by Lee Greenwood

 

 

See you back here on Friday.

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Each New Day

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.      Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)

This is a promise I can hold on to – no matter what is going on in my life, no matter what lies may swirl around in my head.

When there is no one to hold my hand, my Heavenly Father is there and will not let go!

Each day is a new day in which Jesus picks me up, dusts me off, and we begin again in His strength.

Morning Has Broken lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon to a traditional Gaelic tune “Bunessan” and sung by Cat Stevens

 

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There is No Box!

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

I will praise you, Lord!
You saved me from the grave and kept my enemies from celebrating my death.
2 I prayed to you, Lord God, and you healed me,
3 saving me from death and the grave.

4 Your faithful people, Lord, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name.
5 Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime.
At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.    Psalm 30:1-5 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, Galatians 6:1-16, Luke 10:1-20

There are times in my life when God seems so close and personal. There are other times when He seems so big and uncontainable. The reality is – God is both.

The Unexpected Call. In 2 Kings 5, Naaman is a great general in the army and he has leprosy. He goes to Israel to find someone that he has been told will be able to cure him. He is sent to the prophet, Elisha. The general expects to be treated with respect and have the attention of this prophet. Naaman doesn’t get it. And then he is told to do something unexpected, dip himself in a river seven times, and do this in a foreign place. Well, if that is how he is going to be healed, why wasn’t he told this back home, in a familiar place?!

God does this in my life. He sends me to places I do not expect, to speak with people I may not know or even like, and often to heal me. The questions are: Will I hear God’s voice and know it is Him? And when I know it is Him, will I obey?

The Unexpected Salvation. The psalmist tells me to never forget that I have God on my side and He is the One who gives me salvation. No matter how hard this life, not illness, daily needs, even death, are too big for God to overcome. He is a loving Father who wants to be near His children and provide for all that we need. God shows me how much He loves me before I loved Him. He gave His Son to die so I could live. That was surely unexpected.

The Unexpected Love. I would think that if God was going to tell me how to “pay Him back” or in some way honor Him for His gift of salvation, it would begin with loving Him above all others. But God began the loving Himself long before I knew Him, much less decided whether I would love Him. Galatians 6 tells me that if I want to show my love for God I am to love others unconditionally. It is through my unconditional love for others that God receives the love I have for Him, it’s a never – ending circle. God loves me – I love others – they love God because they see His love in me.

The Unexpected Priority. Luke 10 tells me about Jesus sending out disciples to share His Good News. They come back excited, with many stories to tell. Jesus told them to walk in His authority, under His name. They do not have to prove themselves to anyone or beg to be heard.

Jesus’ free gift of His saving love is to be given to all who will hear. It does not need to be argued or forced down anyone’s throat but offered just as any free gift, with joy and open hands.

God can not be put into a box and controlled by my ideas of who and what He should be. He is bigger than I can imagine. He is unexpectedly wonderful and powerful. He may look different in someone’s eyes than He does in my eyes. But to all of us He is God, powerful and loving.

Majesty and Glory of Your Name written by Tom Fettke, sung by The Winter Haven Choir 2009

 

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My Sight isn’t Perfect – Yet

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from March 7, 2011]

Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us.    1 Corinthians 13:12 (CEV)

On September 11, 2001, almost 3,000 Americans died in a single day. On January 12, 2010, 100,000 people died in the Haiti earthquake. Why? I don’t know.

An English bishop, Dr. Handley Moule, said over 100 years ago that he learned from his mother’s needlework that on the back side of the picture the threads appear tangled, like a series of mistakes. But on the right side, there was a beautiful picture.

Does God make mistakes? No. Are there events in history that I still do not understand? Absolutely. Besides the two I have mentioned at the beginning, sixty plus years later, I do not understand why millions of Jews and Christians died in the Holocaust. I do not understand why my son died from cancer or any child dies from disease or accidents. I don’t know.

I have heard theological, philosophical, and sociological explanations and, frankly, none of them work for me. They are not acceptable to me. Some would say that we live in a “fallen world” and so “bad things happen to good people”. Others would say that sin must be balanced with consequences. Jesus told His disciples that neither sin of the parents nor of the child caused blindness (John 2) so He didn’t agree with that idea.

The First Corinthian passage works in my heart and spirit. It tells me that I am a finite human who cannot grasp all of an infinite God. What I can understand will be through His Spirit to my spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). The knowledge I receive from God is not a “drive-thru” answer. It is not a case of demanding an answer from God; He succinctly tells me and we’re done. Not in all the hundreds of people with whom I have had conversations about their questions for God did someone tell me that they got a complete answer on the first question. It was through building their relationship with Jesus that they slowly began to understand and gain some insight into their difficult questions.

That is the way it is happening for me, too. I have peace about my son’s death. I don’t have all the answers – yet, but I have answers I can live with now. The great aspect is that Jesus is willing to have conversations as often and repeated as many times as I want. He knows that our relationship will grow as we talk.

So if you or someone you know has questions for God – tell them to keep asking! As long as they want to talk, yell, cry, in some way have communication with Jesus, He will come to meet with them. That is what an awesome parent does. I have learned that in my own life and I leave that testimony with you today.

Open the Eyes of My Heart written by Paul Baloche and sung by Michael W Smith

 

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Sleep And Rest

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

You are my God and protector. Please answer my prayer.
I was in terrible distress, but you set me free.
Now have pity and listen as I pray.

2 How long will you people refuse to respect me?
You love foolish things, and you run after what is worthless.

3 The Lord has chosen everyone who is faithful to be his very own,
and he answers my prayers.
4 But each of you had better tremble and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart as you lie in bed.
5 Offer the proper sacrifices and trust the Lord.

6 There are some who ask, “Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, Lord, shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness than a rich harvest of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe.     Psalm 4 (CEV)

I work late at night. It affords my husband and I to each have about four hours of complete, focused quiet in our individual work days. Then in the afternoons, we work together on projects and have our meetings. I have observed almost every night someone who comments on Facebook or Twitter that they are awake at 2 or 3 or 4 a.m. and unable to sleep. Some offer specific reasons and others say they do not know why they are awake. I’d like to offer some ideas.

Worry. No surprise that this is arguably the most common reason we do not sleep well at night. And certainly there are events and conditions in our lives that produce worry.

We know that Jesus asked bluntly, “Will worry add one hour to your life?” He also said “not to worry about tomorrow because each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:24-34)

I think often that the worry comes when we lie down because that is when we finally stop and think. During the day we are just running from one task to another; trying to keep our heads above water.

Non-stop thinking. It’s like an audio or video tape or a YouTube program that is just on permanent “replay.” Conversations thought over as to how they could have went differently. Plans for tomorrow or the next week or month or year are considered. “How can I make enough money for _______?” Even the anticipation of good things, like leaving on vacation, can be negative when you cannot get needed sleep.

Pain. This is something that I have learned a lot about in the last three years. It’s obviously difficult to sleep when you are in physical pain. Sleep deprivation makes work and everyday functioning impossible. And medication cannot be the only answer.

All this is about more than sleep. It is about finding a place of rest. It is relaxing in peace, security and assurance that turns off the worry and thinking and pain.

About ten years ago, I made a change in my bedtime routine. Instead of just coming into my bedroom and crawling into bed, I began to do things to help me make the transition from my busy, high-stress day and wind down and enter into a place of rest. Some nights I read Scripture. It could be a chapter or even a few verses that become a thought that winds its way around in my head. Other nights I listen to worship music as I fall asleep. And then there are the nights when I count my blessings. Yes, I use the alphabet and think about: What am I thankful for that begins with the letter “G”? and so on.

Worries and problems? Well I have learned to talk them over with God. Some nights I have to write them into my prayer journal, telling God all about them and then literally “shut the book” on the worries, leaving them in God’s hands.

All of these are intentional habits that God has laid on my heart. God may have some suggestions for you. It’s a choice and I won’t say that it’s easy because it’s unlearning years of worrying and fretting. Not surprising, that I have found that Jesus was right – worrying does not add anything constructive to my life!

Let us enter into the rest of the LORD and sleep well.

Now the Day is Over written by Joseph Barnby and Sabine Baring-Gould and sung by Hastings College Choir, NE

 

 

 

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On the Road with Jesus

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from March 5, 2010]

It happened soon afterward, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.        Luke 7:11-17 (WEB)

What a wonderful, joyous story this is! I see my Savior’s heart, moved with compassion for a woman whose son has died and she is alone in the world. In her culture and time, she could literally starve to death without a male family member to protect and ‘cover’ her. Jesus saw her tears; saw her need and responded.

“Young man, I tell you, get up!” Jesus did not give a request. God gave a command! He gave a preview of what and how He will command when He comes from the grave on Easter morning! And His command is obeyed! The man sat us. But he did not just sit up – he spoke! The man was not just breathing. He was alive! Jesus is not just the conqueror of death! He is the give of life! Jesus gave back to the mother that which she lost! He always does. Jesus did not choose to give me back my son when he died. I confess to all of you that I never stopped asking Him to do that – even as I sat beside his bed and knew he had stopped breathing. “Lord, please, I know you can do this. Please return my son to me.” There was silence. It was a few days later as we celebrated James’ life that I received the message that I have heard several times in the last five years, “He’s worshiping with me now. You still have work to do for me there. We have eternity to be together. Keep working.”

“They were all filled with fear and praised God.” It is easier to praise God when He chooses to do the extra-ordinary. The ‘WOW’ factor brings forth a ‘WOW’ response! But – see – God does something ‘WOW’ every time He does something! My son died but because of God I did not die – not physically and not my spirit. Only because of the compassion of Jesus do I continue on and walk out each day. Only because of the healing compassion of Jesus am I able to get out of bed and feel His joy and express His encouragement and know He still – and always has – loves ME! Praise God!

“This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.” Spreading the news is what I have been commissioned to do! “Go … and make disciples …and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you … I am with you always…” God is with me. God was with the widow and her son. God is with you today whatever road you are walking. The road may be smooth with beautiful flowers. It may be bumpy with major boulders and pot holes. If I make Jesus my pilot (not the co-pilot!), then I am secure and assured on whatever road I am on. May I keep my spiritual eyes open to opportunities to encourage other travelers along the way.

On the Road Again written by Bob Dylan and sung by Willie Nelson

This song really works for me in this devotion as I look forward to traveling down the road of life with my fellow believers.

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