Many of life's events have the annoying ability to leave a lot of 'baggage' and 'garbage' behind, most of it in one's mind. I know this as I have had enough 'baggage' and 'garbage' to fill a cargo ship full. When one sits down to take an honest inventory they could be surprised just what each event in life has left behind, some hidden some not. I have had to wade through some pretty deep muck to get on with my life. At times it has taken years to get through some of it, some things I am still treading through. At times when it is extremely difficult and I can think clearly I try to remind myself that there are those that have more difficult things to deal with than I. Certainly a few hours of watching television news or reading a newspaper can prove that. 

 I have relied on people and my faith to get through a lot, although I must admit that at times in my life my faith was not really all that strong. Certainly not as strong as it has become and may it grow stronger each day. One bit of encouragement that I have received over the last year has been from my son. After years of a very strained relationship, from lack of effort and the effort from some outside sources, my son and I have reconnected and he wants to just put the past behind us and move on and build and strengthen our relationship. When I got those words from him I sat down and cried, cried tears of joy that my son wanted me in his life. I am very proud of the man that he has become. I have spend the last several years getting to know my bible better. Reading through it a couple of times and spending more time in certain areas with in it. I have spent a considerable amount of time in prayer and listening for direction from the Holy Spirit. I have found a good bible teaching church full of some very good people. I also try to surround myself with people of faith in every day life as well. I have had one good friend that even though we are miles apart is there to pick up the phone whenever I need someone to talk to. I have even met some new people that even though it seems that I am the one helping them become closer to God, they are providing me with much needed support and understanding that I need through my trials. God does provide what you need to get through the trials. He has given me my son again, a chance to rebuild a relationship with my own father, and a new woman in my life that is there to give me that hug I need just when I need it. 

 I give the praise first because I know what I have been through and what I have overcome with the grace of God. I have had some stumbling blocks, some as big as boulders or even mountains. I have overcome them and I am, I believe, a better person for it. As the bible says, for everything there is a season and I am coming out of winter to enjoy the spring and looking forward to a long spring and summer. By the grace of God my the stumbling blocks be smaller and smaller until they are just mere pebbles beneath my feet. 

 I thank those that take the time to read this and pray that you yourselves find your stumbling blocks getting smaller and smaller.