I want to write again about the article that defines so well where I stand.  I am not articulate like many.  I have a limited way with words and only occasionally get blown away by the beauty of what I have written.  More often than not, when that happens, I feel like a spectator and marvel at what is on the page.
So to have something written that I feel expresses my feelings is a bonus for me.  It is a case of wow, someone else is expressing what I am feeling.  That is actually a real encouragement to me as it is always nice to catch up with another walking the same track and to engage in conversation that reflects the feelings of both of us.
So I am happy to use another’s thoughts where they express better than I the way I feel.
“Realism refuses to let difficulty have the final word. Realism acknowledges limitations while still believing in the unlimited.  Hope grows because faith refuses to let realism become the final authority.
That balance changes everything.  Planning is careful and expectant, decisions are responsible, yet open to change as seen necessary. 
Faith is often misunderstood, especially when circumstances feel overwhelming.  Some think faith means denying reality. Yet faith faces reality honestly and does not pretend facts are untrue, but it does refuse to let those realities define actions.  Faith says, “this is hard”, without concluding, “this is hopeless.” It recognizes limitations without assuming those limitations are final.
Faith knows change often comes slowly and keeps trusting, even when there is little visible evidence that anything is changing.  It is not dramatic or passive - just consistent. Decisions are made not because success is guaranteed, but because faith has proven to be reasonable even when a situation looked impossible.” 
(The Danger of “Realistic” Thinking Without Faith - by Thom Rainer)
Again, I have made a few changes in there and do not say this is what someone said, but it is the way I heard what someone said.  I guess it honestly means heaps to me as I am not immune to doubt or impatience, yet I have proven for myself the trustworthiness of who I trust.  I know my doubt is born of the inadequacy of my view rather than inconsistency in the object of my trust.

Merril and I are looking at a trip away.
We have planned it for September, and it will be all month.  We were with a travel agent yesterday making final arrangements.  We had been with the same person last week when we first looked into where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do and see.
It feels to me that the options of places to travel to are becoming less.  Most places it seems can still be visited but wanting to visit some places that would have been a no brainer in the past, I have second thought about.
Anyway September is not that far away but there are a number of things that need doing before then.  There are things we regularly do like running a monthly market, running an Alpha course, running groups where people get together weekly, running monthly men’s get togethers and a heap of other activities we are involved in.
All will be put on hold for us for September and there will be a lot of organizing to get others to do what we do for a while, or to shut down the get together all together.
Still. I do see seeing the way others live as a good thing and I hope to learn a few things as well as enjoy seeing a few things.
We decided it is probably a good time for us to go now as the day is approaching where travel will be a bridge too far.  Not that it will be something we do not desire, but it will be something we are physically incapable of doing.
I am trying to think of all I need to in the time I need to.  This getting older sure is not all it is cracked up to be.  I did a trip overseas in my early 20’s and reckon I would still be on some of the rides if I could. But now when faced with a choice I tend to go for the more sedentary activity.
Still I am excited by activity.  As long as I can still get a nap.

Often I get up and wonder “what will I write about today?”  Yet for this one I lay in bed wondering how I could make it small enough and put in such a way I could post it.
Most of it is word fro word from a blog article I read yesterday. (“The Danger of “Realistic” Thinking Without Faith”)  But rather than being able to say “this is his article” I can only say “this is how I heard his article.”  I have changed some things but whole-heartedly agree with what was said.
I guess I was drawn to it because there seems to be a school of thought that implies having faith requires that I abandon realism and live in the fanciful.  To me nothing could be further from the truth.  There is a good chance that like everyone I have come across I have some “weirdness” but on the whole I like to think of myself as a fairly reasonable person not easily duped.
Faith for me must be born in realism but circumstances do not determine outcomes.
So I have made an executive decision.  This will be spread over a couple of days. They may or may not be consecutive days.  But my writing this has made it way longer than I allow for posts yet I felt it was important I explain where I was coming from.
Anyway I know for sure at least one person liked what was being said and that one person being me.
Everyone needs realism.  Denial helps no one, and ignoring reality only delays necessary decisions.
But there is a danger that often goes unnoticed.  Realism, when separated from faith, becomes limitation.  A statement may sound reasonable and contain a measure of truth.   But realism can become a ceiling with decisions shaped by caution and risk avoidance -  not because something is unwise, but because it feels uncertain.  Faith is not rejected - it is reduced.  Vision becomes smaller because expectations have been lowered - scepticism dressed in careful language.
To me, reality should never define limits.  The greater the challenge the greater the opportunity to trust what is trustworthy.
Anyway for all my going through the article and putting it in two parts the end has come way quicker than I imagined.
The bottom line for me is that faith is reasonable.  Context matters but the way something ends is determined by faith in someone faithful.
 

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