Introduction

ARE WE THERE YET?

There’s not a parent alive that hasn’t heard those words before. You put a child on a plane, train or in an automobile and they are bound to ask sooner or later “Are we there yet?” And if you are better skilled than I, they will only ask it once.

God, over several years has revealed to me that I have asked this question over and over my entire life. “Am I There Yet?” As though there would be… this almost magical time when I would feel some sense of accomplishment or success in life. That the day would arrive when I would feel like I’d made a difference and all of life will have culminated at this one moment and make complete sense. That there would be a point were I would feel as though I have left my mark and that the world will be a better place even if only in a small part because I have lived.

At Christmas time most years I watch a movie called “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I don’t want to spoil the movie for those that have not seen it so I’ll just tell you that there is not a time of watching it that the tears don’t fill my eyes as I wonder what I would see if I were given the opportunity to see life without Ed in it.

As I began writing this book I am now forced to pause and wonder if I’d really like to see that or not. I think for now I’ll stick with the question of “Are we there yet.” And maybe the more basic question is, where is there? “God, please tell me where “there” is?” He responded, “Where, is the destination that you have set for yourself.” Then the voice inside me said, “Ed just write the book, we’ll talk along the way and I’ll clear things up for you.”

I guess until recently I have always seen God, and eternity as a destination. Eternity with God is where I want to end up. Isn’t that why I was created? That belief is being torn apart thought by thought. More specifically I have been learning that life is a journey and eternity is not a destination. It’s a journey in relationships with God, myself and others. In this book are some of the journeys I have taken. It is not my intent to teach anyone reading this book anything. I am simply sharing my journey for anyone interested. Some time ago I watched a television documentary on some one’s life. Near the end of the show they were asking questions of this individual about what he would pass on to viewers of the show. It was as though he looked me in the eyes and spoke, “don’t try to teach people what you think you know, but just share your stories with them. Then from your stories they will apply or use what is meaningful to them. My hope is that my children, my grandchildren and for generations to come to read this and know what was important to papa which is what they call me. Most importantly I would like for them to know how important my personal and intimate relationship with God is or was depending on when you’re actually reading this.

That being said the following are my personal journeys and when put all together they make up the story of me. This book is to minister to me and I am already experiencing some revelations about myself as I write the words on these pages. What will they all look like or what shape will they have when I finish writing, I have no idea. If your spirit is stirred by anything you read then that same spirit will also apply it to your life. I am writing this out of obedience to the Father and I have no expectation of anyone who reads it. I do however have great expectancy to see and hear what God does with it. I know that His plan for it may be no more than me writing it. But, I am also aware that He may have other plans that will take place in times, places and ways that I can not possibly comprehend as of this writing. With that please feel free to email me your thoughts regarding any or all of these journeys. Your in-put will serve to improve the writing and may even bring back more detail than what I have remembered.

The blogs are in no particular order as of yet. I am writing as it comes to me and once I am finished then I'll put it all together.