Milestones

A milestone  can be a stone set up along the road to mark a distance in miles to a particular place. It can also be a significant stage or event in the development of something... let's say , one's own life. 

Both definitions are important , both are worth celebrating.

 

Life as a journey is full of ups and downs, good weather , bad weather, paved roads , bumpy roads, scenic routes , and not so scenic ones.

I have realized the most important thing to keep in mind as you travel through life, is that you have the choice to make this journey on your own or not. No matter what, you have the possibility of never being  alone. God can be your travel buddy , your companion, your map, your compass along the way .  The  other important lesson I have learned is to keep moving. Of course, there will be times when you have to take a break, when you will have to catch your breath , or your sleep , or get out and stretch... but how important it is to put your eyes on the road ahead, on your destination , on your goal, and to keep moving. And what a happy moment it is to celebrate those milestones you conquer along the way and to look back and see the length of the road travelled , the many blessings that God has sent your way throughout the journey.

 

Yesterday at church we studied Psalms 77, one of those Psalms that was not written by David, but rather by Asaf.  Verses 1- 9 depict the very sad place where many of us have been at some point in our life.  Something similar to that very dark " Valley of Shadow of Death " that David talks about in the more well known Psalm 23.  Crying out for help, being in distress,  being too troubled to speak,  feeling like a promise has failed, as if we will never see His favor again.

 

Teardrops  Liliana Sánchez Vancouver, CA April 2014

 

 

Yet Asaf realizes he is getting sick from distress and sadness and finds in counting his blessings, or in celebrating the milestones he has reached hand in hand with God, the way out of this dark place. He literally says : vs. 10-12 " To this I will appeal , the years of the right hand of God. I will remember the deeds of the Lord , yes I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. "

 

 

I love sunsets and sunrises. To me, they are places of hope.  No matter the sadness , the trouble, how stuck I might be along the road, they remind me I am not alone, they remind me something better is ahead, they remind me I am moving and growing . They speak to me of Him. These are some of my favorite everyday milestones.

 

Sunrise in Tegus Liliana Sánchez  May 7, 2014

Sun & Moon Have Breakfast  Lilliana Sánchez  San Salvador June 17, 2014

Shining   Tegucigalpa, Honduras Liliana Sánchez July 10, 2014

Sundown at the Arno Florence, Italy  Liliana Sánchez  June 5, 2014



 Shining while hiding Tegucigalpa, Honduras Liliana Sánchez July 11, 2014

 

 

 

 

A modern day version of what Asaf did , is for example to have a " Joy Jar " . Write down your joys, your victories , write them in bright colored paper and put them in a beautiful jar , and go over them when you are feeling gloomy or sad.

 

Today I have reached another milestone along my journey. For this I am extremely grateful. Gracias, gracias , gracias Dios.  There is no sad place that lasts forever, and there surely is a beautiful, warm sun coming out every morning- even when it is rainy and cloudy , while we are here traveling through life together.

 

Happy Monday and Happy Week !