"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord"

"One step forward, two steps back...another step to the right and down a notch...hey, what's this pillar?" 

It feels like that's what the Christian senses in any kind of obedient walk with God: full of obstacles, detours, and seeming disappointments.

Recently, I was elated when a friend from over 30 years ago said she wanted to come see me in Okinawa. Her husband had come to know the Lord just before he died of cancer, and her two children were both saved--one got married to an ANA cabin attendant who would enable her to fly down to Okinawa. ONE HUGE LEAP FORWARD!

But the dates my friend wanted to come, flights got filled. Those freebies were offered space available only, so she wouldn't be able to come. And there was a mixup with the ride to pick up my friend at the airport. TWO STEPS BACK.

"Kinya, would you be interested in staying at a hotel the 23rd~25th?" I ventured. It wasn't anything fancy, but nice, quiet. Kinya usually feels going out is a bother and would rather not leave his computer setup, but maybe he saw my DISAPPOINTMENTS: not being able to see a good friend, having an empty lodging on my hands; and not wanting to see me disappointed again, decided it wouldn't hurt to take a few days away from his digital workshop and spend some time with June...so he agreed to come! Thank you Kinya, and Thank YOU Father!