Faith Journey

It's official. I'm now from the Midwest. Just a few weeks ago I was traveling home from Aberdeen with the debate team and it happened... as another vehicle passed going the opposite way my index finger lifted up. With no need to even think about it I engaged in the Heartland wave. I started to realize that just a few cars before I did the two finger wave, and even before that the full hand one in an effort to mix it up a bit. I was dumbfounded! What, really, does all this mean? Did the California kid that moved to South Dakota over a decade ago finally cave in? Or is something deeper going on? 

When I first moved here I had illusions of taking over and teaching them a lesson. On my way to the top, perhaps I would show these South Dakota how to "do it right" once they elected me governor. It was all quite surreal as I dreamed these types of dreams from the corner bar stool knowing it was only a matter of time.Of course, these dreams were aided by a bit of John Daniels. I know you may call him Jack, but, when you've know him as long as I have... well...

And then it happened. The so-called teacher became the student. It was not an easy lesson to learn, and many were hurt on my way to understanding life from an entirely different angle. I would like to tell you I was humbled, but it was more along the lines of humiliated. However, that was not the end, but merely a beginning. I certainly didn't see it that way at the time, and I would've short changed myself had I remained content with how God had changed me at that moment instead of asking what more He had in store for me.

Right now I am rewriting my second novel titled, Pivot Point. There is a lot of "me" in it to a certain degree as my daughter points out when I read it to her and Tammy. That's true of any author who writes any story, but in many ways she gets to see her father walk through profound moments in life. And that's a miracle. I do not doubt for a minute that without God in my life my relationship with my daughter would be radically different; and not in a good way. 

Anyway, back to the book. Pivot Point is the story of a high school kid that has a spiritual experience while attending the Easter Vigil. Sawyer King (don't hold me to the name, it could change), the main character, saves the life of the boy he once bullied. His story is about how one can change his ways through the power of Jesus, and the struggles he encounters from others that either try and pull him back into the darkness, or refuse to believe he has changed at all. My hope is for an October or November release. 

Sawyer, in the novel, is converting to Catholicism. A journey I am on right now. Due to past decisions I based on my own selfish desires, I am still waiting to experience the sacraments. That's okay. I have spent my entire life looking for the shortcut, the easier, softer way. It hasn't been easy and there are days I want to say, "Who are they to tell me..."  and then the deacon of the church shares that one word comes to mind when he thinks about me, perseverance. Defined as: steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Wow. Others tell me their faith has been strengthened watching me walk through this part of the journey. Now I understand the difference between humility and humiliation. 

Now it's time for me to share my journey into the Catholic Church with the world. Or at least with those few that follow my blog. First and foremost this is a love story. It is the story of how I fell in love with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit that I pray to guide me each morning. My plan is to do  a series of episodes that I hope will make you laugh, cry, or at least crack a smile. But my real vision is that through my faith journey someone will find the courage to develop a deeper relationship with the Lamb of God. So until next time... God Bless!