my careless contagion

Warning! This is a long post but worth it. Before I begin, let me say a few words. No one knows who wrote this. I will explain what it means to me at the end.  Judge Gently  Pray don't find fault with the man who limps or stumbles along the road, unless you have worn the shoes he wears, or struggled beneath his load, there may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, though hidden away from view, or the burden he bears, placed on your back, might cause you to stumble, too. Don't sneer at the man who's down today, unless you have felt the blow that caused his fall or felt the shame that only the fallen know. You may be strong; but still the blows that were his, if dealt to you in the selfsame way, at the selfsame time, might cause you to stagger, too. Don't be too harsh with the man who sins, or pelt him with word or stone, unless you are sure, yea doubly sure, that you have no sins of your own; for you know, perhaps if the tempter's voice should whisper as softly to you as ...

We all face an unknown future every day. None of us are in control, though we think we are. We plan and go about our lives as if we are masters of the universe. I used to feel that way. The closer I walk with God, I realize I control nothing. Everything is given to me, especially the power to make wealth. All my material goods. My talents. Even my desire to seek God is given to me. My faith, even. Really, of what can I boast? I boast of God. I know that stuff. Yet, there are moments in life when it is impressed upon me more than usual. Maybe it's just the fact that I have a routine with which I am comfortable. A small, manageable life. Enough things to keep me occupied. Not too many. Not too few. In short, I'm comfortable. What happens when that comfort is taken away and I am faced with more unknowns?  That is where I am right now, with my old life stripped away and now entering a new life. Hey, I know God is in control. I gave Him everything I have, not for His sake (who would...

I have new eyes. That's how it feels, at least. On October 4, I had iLasik surgery on both eyes at the Black Hills Regional Eye Institute. I have not experienced such clarity of vision since ... I don't know; it feels like forever. I remember when I got glasses at the age of 12 and walked out of the eye clinic and onto the town square. I looked up at the trees in the square, and I could see every leaf. It was like having an epiphany. It was like a curtain going up and seeing as far as I wanted. For the next almost 30 years, I depended on those glasses (and sometimes contacts). My vision without glasses was terrible, though; even reading a book in bed without them was nearly impossible. I could see clearly a few inches from my face and then everything dropped off beyond that. I was as blind as a freakin' bat.  After I sold my house and split the money with my ex-wife, I had a decent amount of cash laying around. Some of it I stashed away for an eventual move from thi...