This past weekend we were back in Sherman to perform a marriage ceremony for Jathan and Allison Gurley. The weeding was beurtiful and it was great to see two people who love each other begin a new commitment in their relationship. As I sat back and watched this unfold I couldn’t help but think how they are about to write a new chapter in their journey of life. While I observed I couldn’t help but think about the chapters I’ve writen in my life.

It was so much fun to reconnect with old friends and see familiar faces. Mandy and I served at Harvest Time in Sherman for nearly five years, and enjoyed our time their immensely. But, even as I looked back I could see a number of chapters that were written whille we were there, from the time we had to spend and learn with one of the most incredible Pastoral Teams, Irby McKnight Andrea McKnight, to the trying time when God called her home after her battle with brain cancer. From the birth of all three of our amazing children to the point when we had to say good bye to all of the wonderful people God had put in our path, there were some great chapters in Sherman, TX.

The point is life is full of chapters some good, some bad, some happy, some sad, but regardless they are still chapters in the the book called ”Your Legacy” that you are writing every single day of your life. So, what are you writing in your book? Can you look back and be proud? Can you read your chapters and learn? Does the story say what you want it to say? The tough part is that you’re the author and it’s your choice to create what you want to be read. 

Last night we decided to load up the kids and go for a little walk, which ended up being a hike. For Gracie’s fourth birthdayshe got her first bike. We started off practicing in the house, teaching her how to pedal and more importantly how to STOP! Before you knew it she was ready to go outside and test her skills, so we set off for a little adventure. At first we kept it simple and just went around the block and that was ok for a while, that was until the first hill. Interesting enough it wasn’t the uphill climb that seem to phase her, in fact when I would reach down and try to help her she would promptly tell me that she had it and did not need my help. However, when the hill begin to go the other direction things began to change, she was no longer in control and before she knew it the bike was gaining speed and moving much faster than she had anticipated. Her first reaction was to see if she could control it, but as the bike got faster she realized that this was not an option. She then began to call out to see if her MOMA!!! or DADDY!!! could come help her, we were chasing after her telling her to put on the brakes just like she had learned, but in the heat of the moment she had forgotten that lesson and when help didn’t come as fast as she wanted or the way she expected she took matters back into her own hands and decided to just stick her feet down in order to stop. Thankfully she didn’t hurt herself.

As I watched her through this process I began to see that is just how we are in our walks with God. Amazingly it’s not the uphill climb that we need the most help with, even though at first glance it’s what it looks like, in reality it’s the down hill rides that seems to be the most dangerous. As long as your facing an uphill climb it’s easy to feel as if you are in control, because maybe you know what steps to take, or you feel that you can trust God and rely on Him, but when the hill shifts and you don’t have to pedal as hard and things are coming easy, maybe to easy, how do you react then? Do your priorities shift, or stay the same? Do you know when to apply the brakes and just be still and listen? Either way thank God for hills because with out them we wouldn’t know what it feels like to be on the mountain or in the valley and we would miss some of the most valuable lessons in life.

Wow, what a day! Four years ago my wife and I were blessed with a beautiful baby girl Gracie Belle Miller. Here at our house Mandy doesn’t believe in birthday’s, she believes in birthweek’s. We have celebrated in so many ways, from a swim party on friday with 60 little kids to just spending today with her and allowing her to do what she wanted. So, with that we took her to Libby Lu’s for a complete makeover. (Yes, she is only four, but man does she love to be a princess!) It’s hard to believe how fast time can fly and yet it still moves the same speed with every second, to every minute adding up to an hour to… Oh well, here we are another day gone, but man was it a fun one.

I guess today marks a new adventure for me, the beginning of blogging. I have been following blogs since September of last year when my good friend Seth introduced me. I remember thinking how weird it was to read about what was going through someones head and to see what they were dealing with in life. I was surprised at times when I would see just how candid people could be. I found myself enjoying what I read but I never thought I would be writing, and low and behold here I am. I must admit I am a little apprehensive to get this started but excited as well. Isn’t that how most journeys are in life?  We start with a fear that turns to excitement and before you know it you get comfortable and forget your even on a journey. So, sit back and bear with me as I figure out this venture they call blog world.