December 31st, 2022 – 6:53pm – Mom’s House, Sherman, Texas, USA:

I am physically alone in this big house, but spiritually I’m with Him. He is here with me now sitting close by. He is smiling at me as I write. My awareness of Him is comforting. Jesus. My King and my Savior. Sitting with me as I obey Him and write. What a funny moment… I could get lost in His smile if I was to look directly at Him right now… so I’ll keep my eyes to my phone and continue to write.

Today I’ve been thinking of this year, it is the last day of this year after all, the last day of 2022. I went back and read my first writing of this year… and it was so… me.

I want to write something grand to leave this year with. You know something deeply spiritual and something that will give you that, “Oh wow” moment. I asked Him what I should write about and He didn’t answer… so I’ll just trust Him to speak.

When I was born I came blazing into this world. From the dust He formed me… and breathed into me life. And what a life it has been! 40 years of love and laughter, of pain and tears, of abuse and healing, of adventure and 9 to 5s… wow… such a life… military, college, world traveler, sinner, saint, prophet, writer, video game designer, graphic designer, barista, server, son, grandson, boyfriend, fiancé, uncle, and on and on… but most of all I have been blessed, favored by God all my days. Nathaniel, Daniel, Benjamin, Elijah, and now Asher… how many lifetimes have I lived? How many people have I loved? How many faces have I seen? How many hugs given? How many miles walked? Nights slept? Words spoken? Words written?…

Do you get it? What I’m trying to say? Naked I came into this world and naked I will return. I get it. Right now I have only a few pairs of clothes… and a few other possessions… but I am so very, incredibly wealthy. I am rich beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. I belong to the One who Created everything. I am an heir, a prince, alongside Jesus.

I am so humbled because I have the honor to listen and obey God and do whatever He asks of me.

Think about it?

I am free.

Unbound. Unencumbered. Untethered. Unfettered.

God can ask anything of me and I can say yes.

He can send me anywhere to do anything.

All my life belongs to Him, for Him, for His glory.

So I want to end this year with a simple thanks to Him. I want to bow my face to this earth and say, “Thank you Father, for all you’ve given me. Thank you for what you’ve done in my life so far, and for all the things to have planned to do with me. Use my life to always point to you!”

So God let me stretch these wings of faith you’ve given me and let me fly with You into this next year.