For many weeks now the field that's connected to the track I walk around every morning has been closed. Likewise, every morning there's a man out there spraying the field and performing maintenance on it. I assumed it was closed for repair and that once the repairs were done it would reopen to resume normal activity. Well, when I drove up today I saw huge tents, carnival rides, games, a ferris wheel, a petting zoo, water slides, food trucks, a carousel, etc. To my surprise, the field wasn't closed simply to be REPAIRED from the normal activities hosted there. But, it was also being PREPARED to host something much greater! I didn't care who saw me as I lifted my hands and thanked God for the current closures and setbacks in my life. I realized more today how He's so loving that He'll only close your field to prepare you to host something greater than what took place in your life previously. Today, I yield to His correction and allow Him to perform maintenance on my life. I agree with Romans 8:18 ...what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal in us later! I never thought I'd hear myself say this but when I saw what the man was preparing the ground for, my response to God was, "Treat me like DIRT!!!"

I've lost track of exactly how long its been, but I've been exercising and gradually changing my diet as I endeavor to live a healthier and more disciplined lifestyle. Part of my new routine includes a daily walk around a local track. I typically use this time to focus my thoughts and have conversations with God. Even though I try to remain conscious of His presence all day long, it's during my early morning "walk with God" that my soul seems quiet enough for me to sense His Spirit more keenly. I know Him well enough these days to believe that He has no evil-intent towards me, but what I perceived Him saying to me today during our walk this morning kind of made me feel like an idiot...