Counting the Blessings

Last week I had the opportunity to ride my Harley to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and join up with the Music City H.O.G. Chapter for their annual trip.

If you've ever ridden through the Smoky Mountains, you know what a blessing it is. The scenery is breathtaking, the roads are beautiful, and the fellowship among fellow riders is something special. The trip home even included a few hours riding through the rain—not exactly what I had planned, but somehow it became part of the adventure.

As I reflected on the trip, I realized how many blessings I have taken for granted.

The blessing of good health.

The blessing of climbing on a motorcycle at my age and enjoying the open road.

The blessing of friendships—old and new.

And the blessing of having the opportunity to share my story.

Throughout the weekend, several people asked about my book. Some had heard bits and pieces over the years. Others knew very little about my past. Each conversation reminded me why I felt called to write it in the first place.

For many years, my story was told by others.

Soon, the book will be available, and people will have the opportunity to read the story from my perspective—not to change history, but to understand what God has done in my life because of it.

That thought fills me with both excitement and humility.

I don't know who will read it.

I don't know whose life it may touch.

But I trust the One who led me to write it.

As I rode home through the mountains, with rain on my windshield and miles still ahead, I couldn't help but think about the journey God has taken me on.

There were seasons when I never imagined I would be here.

There were times when I questioned whether there would ever be another chapter worth telling.

Yet here I am, grateful beyond words.

Grateful for another ride.

Grateful for another day.

Grateful for the strength to continue doing the things I enjoy.

And grateful that God has given me the opportunity to tell a story that is ultimately not about me, but about His grace.

If all goes as planned, the book should be available next week.

As exciting as that is, my greatest hope isn't that people will simply read my story.

My prayer is that somewhere within its pages they will see something far greater—the faithfulness of a God who never gave up on me, even when I had given up on myself.

That's a blessing worth sharing.