A YEAR OF CHANGE

Sometimes we find that we drift away from “listening” to God. Regardless of what we do, He is always there and continues to make attempts at getting through to us. This became apparent during this past year as stress took its hold on me.

This year has been the year of change for me. Our oldest child John moved to Colorado, and we have not yet gotten used to him living so far away. Our son Scott moved out, and our youngest, Sara, was a freshman at Virginia Tech. Millie and I were really “home alone.” I focused on selling my business and building a retirement home on Lake Anna. The building process began in March of 2003 and was taking way too long. I sold my business in April of 2004 and actually “retired” only to be told two weeks later that my builder was going bankrupt. From that point on, we spent 50-60 hours per week on the job site, dealing with subcontractors, handling inspections and ordering materials. Throughout the summer, the intensity of the building project increased as it became apparent that we had another six months or more to go. I allowed the project to get to me and ended up in the “chest pain center” at Fairfax Hospital for an overnight stay.

During this overnight stay, I learned that my heart was in good condition, so I tried to figure out what got me to this point. I reflected back on a conversation I had during the Lakota Mission Trip. I was going to keep this building project in perspective, I said then, and focus on what God would have me do. I realized that I had let the project consume me and that I was trying to tackle each and every problem by myself. I came back from my hospital visit with a new attitude. I did not have to conquer the world alone, I realized. God would always be there to guide me and to walk with me through the difficult times. This meant I had to give up my “control” of the situation and pray more for the guidance. I soon learned (again), how wonderful it is to have the support of the One who knows it all and is a comfort through all of my challenges.

We have now moved into our new home (even though it’s not 100 percent complete) and feel blessed that we have made it to this point in our lives. Thanks to God who reaches out and taps us on the shoulder – even when we may not be listening.

— Earl Mielke

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist