I don't know about you, but end-goals for me can get overwhelming. 

Because I can get so focused on the end-goal, that I forget to have fun in the middle. I forget to enjoy the journey along the way.

And I herd people along. And I feel frustrated. And I want to bark orders.

And we get there, sure. 

But how much more enjoyable would it have been if, instead of being so focused on getting there, I would have relaxed in the journey and enjoyed it along the way?

And I realize, the same is true in my own life with God. 

I see where I want to go. I see where I want to be. And I can become impatient along the way. 

And tensions rise. And disappointment mounts. And life seems to get less and less enjoyable.

Until God.  Until God stops me...again. 

Until God lovingly pats me on the shoulder one more time. Until I stop and hear His whisper. Stop and listen to His whisper: You don't have to try so hard. And you don't have to earn it. Just be. Just be you. Just be you, with me, with others. Just be.

And I take a breath. A deep breath. 

And I realize: I can breathe again. I can laugh again. I can enjoy again.

Because this life is so much less about arriving at some destination and so much more about living, every moment, with God, and with others.  Not how I think I should be, or could be. But simply how I am, right now.

And, yes, God will change me and grow me along the way. But not because I'm striving. Not because I'm running and pushing and trying to get somewhere. 

But simply because I'm His and He's mine. Simply because as we walk and talk and spend time together, I learn and grow and change. 

In little ways and big ways. For His pleasure and for mine. 

Now that sounds like an enjoyable journey!