We all have seen and or used GPS devices in our vehicles. You basically put in the location you want to go and the GPS device locates where you are at, where you are going, and how to get there. You can choose options to take the shortest route, fewest turns, most use of interstates or no use of interstates, etc. The three key factors it knows is where you are, where you are going, and how to get there.

In our business life as well as our personal life, we are going one of two places: where we want to go or where we are supposed to go. I believe God has influence on the latter of those two places. See, I believe when you ask God to choose the path for your life that is best for you and lead you to get there, it’s sort of like a spiritual GPS.  In our world, when we have the GPS working and miss a turn, it says “recalculating” and then tells you a different route to get to the same destination. When you miss a turn, your arrival may take a little longer, but you will still get to the same destination.

We have all missed turns in our life, and for some of us, we have been on the wrong path for years. Here is what I believe with all my heart: when we go to God and say, “I have missed it Lord, show me the way you want me to go,” he will welcome you with open arms. I believe like the story in the Bible of the prodigal son. The father in the story was looking in the distance for the moment his son would turn around and come home; when the son decided to come back, the father ran to meet him and embrace him. It’s like that in our lives today when you simply say, “Father, I have missed it.” I believe our heavenly father runs to get us and points the way we should go.

God had a perfect plan and a perfect destination for each of our lives; while we have missed turns along the years, if you allow him to lead, it’s like the GPS that says in a voice, “recalculating” and then leads us to the same destination he had originally planned for us. All is needed is for us to humble ourselves and ask God for his direction. Like the father in the story, he will speak nothing of your past, and he will show you the way to the place he wants you to be. KT

In our busy lives, many times our minds and hearts are not focused on what we are doing now and where we are now. My father-in-law, who passed away several years ago, was a real man’s man, and he learned how to be where he was. His name was Max Phillips, and he owned his own fence company on the south side of Atlanta. He could literally outwork anyone. When Max was working, he was fully engaged both mentally and physically. When he was fishing or camping, he was completely in that moment. See, when he was working, he wasn’t thinking about fishing, and when he was fishing, he wasn’t thinking about working. He simply believed that if you applied yourself to work when it was time to work, you were able to enjoy the downtime. What a great lesson and great example for all of us.

Jesus, when he walked the earth, was always in the moment and always was mentally where he was physically. When someone approached him for a touch, he was always available, always there, and always focused on that single individual until that word or that healing was fully handled.

This is a great lesson because many times, a young father or young mother are so busy that they forget to be where they are. The search for significance in life is a powerful thing that can drive you to miss many moments in life. I can’t say that I always do this because it would not be true. I often have this image of driving in a car on a road; the road curves where I can’t see where it leads, yet I am content to be where I am on the road, knowing that I am on the road God wants me to be on. As best you can, ask God to get you on the right road and be content simply knowing you are where God wants you to be. I find that being ok with where you are allows you to enjoy where you are; it also allows us to be in the moments of life, that if we miss them, are gone forever. KT

The term “routine life” sounds terrible, right? Well, I believe we need to look at this term and what it means a little closer. It means the normal, everyday things we do. If you were told you had cancer, would you want to get back to a normal, routine life? Sure you would. If you had a long-term health issue with your child, would you want to get back to a normal, routine life? Sure you would. Therefore, take an inventory today of your blessings and yes, you may be changing diapers, washing clothes, making sales calls or just simply doing  the same thing you did last week.

I sell hotels, and today I am in Columbus, Ohio, where it is snowing. When I got here last night I thought, how many times have I traveled to a city to sell a hotel and do the same thing again. Well, last night I realized there will be a day, sooner rather than later, where this part of my life is over, and I won’t be able to do what I do for a living. Life seems to go by quicker than you think. If you are a young mother who is sleepy from being up last night or a young father searching for significance, as hard as it may seem, embrace these moments because they will not last. One day, you will long for and wish you had a normal, routine day.  KT

I believe one of the greatest things we can do in life is a personal inventory. Look at what you already have been given versus what you think you want and need. Many times, we get caught up in all the things we have to do and accomplish that we forget to enjoy the journey, rather we wait and expect to enjoy the destination. In Campbell, Missouri, is a graveyard where all my grandfathers back to the early 1800s are buried. The graves are literally all in one area (Thompson section) where my grandfathers, great and great-great are all there with their families and memories. It is very humbling to walk that ground and realize that someday my descendants will be doing the same thing. It really focuses you on what will matter in life and what will not. That work project or thing you feel is so important, when compared to the real issues of life, may not be as important as you think.

Joy is a choice and a gift. Choose to enjoy the journey rather than the destination because you really have no idea how much time you have left. In 1999, Payne Stewart, the pro Golfer, kissed his wife and babies goodbye one morning and boarded a flight that never got to where it was going. I am sure he thought, I will do this, that, and will accomplish. He never had the time to do any of those things because God almighty called him home that day. His family was left with only the memories and the lessons taught up to that point. Again, choose joy and choose life today at this moment because that is really all we have. KT