Are we there yet?

I've been visiting the cancer center in Tucson for over 4 years and doing it weekly for the past 6 months. It is just over 100 miles and about a 2-hour drive from our home in Mesa, AZ. Seems like I'm slipping into that, "Are we there yet?" mode. Why does something that was once fun and adventuresome become boring?

Having grown up in the Washington, D.C. area, I was used to GREEN trees, grass, shrubs, and vines. When I moved west the wide open spaces of the BROWN desert were new, exciting, and beautiful in its own way, but repetition and time can lead to boredom. This can happen with going to work or school every day. How about staying home and caring for the kids and cleaning house? Even the weekly date with my spouse can get old after awhile. Why does this happen?

Maybe I'm looking for happiness for me! Think of some of the ways to find happiness, but they don't last. It is only temporary. My marriage to Mary was the happiest day of my life up to that time and then the thrill of this new relationship slowly started to wear off. We weren't ready to call it quits, but something was slipping away like a candle burning out. I needed something fulfilling that wouldn't end!

Then I read in John where Jesus came to give me an abundant life! What's that? Could it mean a life with purpose, meaning, direction, joy, peace, and everything else? I decided to accept His gift by faith and see it there really was something more than a temporal happiness. I found that lasting joy is found in Jesus Christ, the solid rock, the eternal God.

"Are we there yet?" still slips into my thoughts as we travel to Tucson, but by God's grace, I am able to focus more on all that I have and am in Christ.

Your continued prayers are always welcome. Thanks for your concern.