'the Trail guide'

Many have walked this path. A life similar to what I now know.  Many have gone before and many will come after.  We can’t do it alone.  No matter what.  We can’t walk this life alone.  We need help.  Need a guide.

I was privileged 19 months ago to find a guide.  A man who said 'hey, I’ve been where you’re at. Let me show you a better way.'  Not a God, not a deity… I already know that exists in my life.  But someone who took the time to say 'hey, I want to help.'

Our first conversation was just a few minutes long.  He said, 'it’s like having a trail guide'…  and that was all I needed to hear.  For the first time in my life I trust a man.  Truly trust another man to be part of my journey.  And I pray for this man… Because I can be a meandering storm at times. Twisting and turning through life.  I’ve seen him have to gently nudge me or firmly say, 'Chad… take a minute, look at your feet.'

He’s given his time, his energy; willingness to answer the phone, to text, to even call me this morning from Sweden!

And the door that he’s opened has allowed me to trust others. Other men who I hold dear.  Other men and women who have shown me a spiritual life that I have never known.  I know God. That’s never been the problem.  But to live the principles he set forth… that’s taken a long time. I want to have character - not just be a character.  That means staying on the trail.  Not getting too far off the path, too Squirrley, to loose for my own good.

And along the way, after months of being able to call him mentor, I now call him friend.  And I am thankful.  I am very blessed.

As I walk through each day, I know there are many that I can reach out and hear, 'Chad, you’ve got this. What’s the next right thing, what do you do next?'  The decisions are always mine, and in people like my trail guide, another man I call old goat, and wise old Thomas… I have found voices of truth in my once clouded world.  

God guides it all.  These are just willing men and women who have shown just how much they care.

So, as it is almost Father’s Day, they are not my father, but I wish them all my love and support. They have helped me stay the course, not beat myself up and live each day to the fullest.

Thank you BZ, SP and Th!

~ Peace

The Burtle