HAPPY NEW YEAR
An edited Happy New Year repost from 2011. I’m taking some time away from blog land and spending it with family over the holidays.
The years are beginning to look like dashed lines on the highway peering down at 85 miles per hour. As Commander Cody states so eloquently, especially for us of Southern descent, “The lines on the road just look like spots.” The years are ripping by at a speed that’s hard to fathom.
What’s not hard to fathom is that we, like the Hot Rod Lincoln from that old song, can’t last forever. Like the car being pushed past its limits, we wear out, break down, or just plain run out of gas. The time for traveling down the highway of life comes to an end.
Our bodies and lives aren’t so different than the cars in the song either. I remember when my soul ride was the latest model…for a very short time. Like all things in this world, the physical world trapped in the time allotted by God begins to falter. Time takes its toll.
Many of us see an old vintage model vehicle and appreciate it for what it is, and what it was. Some of us are economy cars, some high performance, off-road, work vehicles, or family sedans, but each of us with beauty all our own, designed by God for a specific purpose.Β Only He knows how many miles we’ll make it before we head to our final resting spot.
The old song ends with the kid being thrown in the clink. “They arrested me and they threw me in jail, n’ they called my Pappy to go my bail and he said son you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ in you don’t stop drivin’ that Hot – Rod – Lincoln.”
The choices we make driving through this life will determine where we’ll end up; in jail, or paradise…
None of us know when we’ll run out of gas or break down permanently. When it comes time to call the tow truck, we’ll all be hopin’ the one with the angelic wings shows up. For those of us who acknowledge the One who made us, that hope is confidence.
I pray a blessed ride through this next year and beyond. May we all feel the blessing of being granted a life and honor God and ourselves by the decisions we make. May we feel the wind in our hair and appreciate the simple gifts first. I also pray for health for our families and friends.
Lets remind one another and not forget to pull off and take some time now and then, after all it’s not a race. There are only two destinations… I suggest the Northern route.
Enjoy the ride, I’ll be striving to be cruising in the slow lane this next year. If I see you I’ll give a wave… If I don’t, I’ll see you, one of these days… at home, drive safe.
God bless your 2017.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
bill (cycleguy)
Saturday, December 31, 2016 @ 11:16 am
Happy new Year my friend. Like every other year, I have no clue what this year will bring. But I do have one wish/hope/dream: having a chance to meet you. Maybe God will make that happen this year. Give my love and prayers to your family.
saleslady371
Saturday, December 31, 2016 @ 6:41 pm
Hi, Floyd!
I’m raising my glass of “just cherries” juice and toasting to that desire to honor God with our decisions and bring Him glory in our lives this coming year. May it be a healthy, happy year for you and your wonderful family! Enjoy your time with family; it’s so good to rest from the usual routine.
Betty Draper
Saturday, December 31, 2016 @ 7:00 pm
Happy New Year brother…I am with Bill…I do have one wish for 2017, to meet you and your family face to face. Same goes for wishing I could meet Bill too.
Cheryl
Sunday, January 1, 2017 @ 12:43 am
What a great post, brother! I loved every word. Happy New Year to you and your family. May God’s greatest blessings be yours!
Diane Ronzino
Sunday, January 1, 2017 @ 3:31 am
Oh, Happy New Year to you and your family, Floyd. I love your heart. Your words. I wish the same for you. Glad to hear your in the right lane this year. I’ve been there for the last few. You get to enjoy more of the scenery this way. And like Bill and Betty, I’d love to meet ‘ya all! God bless you.
Dolly
Sunday, January 1, 2017 @ 4:13 pm
Floyd,
A Happy and blessed New Year to you and your family. Love your car and road analogy. Enjoy your time with your family π
Lynn D. Morrissey
Sunday, January 1, 2017 @ 6:36 pm
I so enjoy journeying with you, Floyd, via your blog. You always have such a wonderful take on life, and a great way of putting it. This is no exception, and especially as we enter a New Year. I shudder to tell you how fast my years are racing by. Certainly by taking this off-ramp stops you mention, taking time to enjoy and savor the vistas before me, are one way of slowing time and appreciating this life God has given me. Thanks for being such a great tour guide.
Happy New Year to you, Diane, and the girls!
Love
Lynn
TC Avey
Monday, January 2, 2017 @ 9:31 am
Happy New Year! Enjoy your time with your family. I’ve been doing the same.
While I’d like to take it slow this upcoming year, I’m thinking it’s going to be another fast paced dozy. I’m holding on and trying to rest in God, trusting Him to get me and my family through this adventure called life.
God bless.
June
Monday, January 2, 2017 @ 12:25 pm
So glad you’re spending time with family, Floyd. Great post – Happy New Year to you and your family!
Hazel Moon
Monday, January 2, 2017 @ 6:18 pm
The road is long and hopefully we will not run out of gas this New Year. I loved your examples and although several years back we always had the latest new model, now we realize our older model will do just fine until we need to park it in heavens garage. May this new year bring you Joy without sorrow, and health today and tomorrow. May your troubles fade away and each sunrise bring a new and bright today. May doors open for you that you thought were closed and enjoy the road ahead including smelling the rose.
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 @ 2:36 pm
Always nice to hear from you and, obviously, many that saw this were filled with love to and through you. Anyhow, thank you much! You are still walking into many hearts and many lives. Bless you, Bro! As I’ve said, I can’t read very well, BUT I see that you are loved and appreciated by many! π
Barb
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 @ 3:42 pm
Happy New Year, Floyd! Hope you are enjoying the holidays! We’ve had all of our kids home and three are still here. It’s been wonderful! Hope this is a great year for you!
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, January 5, 2017 @ 8:30 am
Always a good reminder. Funny, when I was reading your post I remembered that I dreamed last night that we met and talked–it was a good time. π I know we’ve only met through our blogs, but I do consider you a friend, Floyd. Thanks for all you do and I pray greater blessings on your 2017!
Jennifer Dougan
Thursday, January 5, 2017 @ 8:48 pm
Happy New year, Floyd! Enjoy this time off with family and friends. How are your daughters doing?
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com