Every time our family decided to relocate to another state, it was as if we were travelers or sojourners, never quite settling in or planning to return to the same family or friends we left behind. It felt like we were on a journey, moving from place to place, always with a sense that we were following a divine calling rather than simply seeking new opportunities. When we sensed that God was leading us to South Carolina, we understood that we were on His retirement plan—His divine plan for rest and renewal in a new environment. I remembered finding a place in South Carolina back when I left home after graduating from high school, a place I had called home for a time, but after four decades, I found myself in Greenville, and it was as if I did not recognize any of the towns or familiar landmarks anymore. The landscape had changed, and so had the community, yet amidst this unfamiliarity, there was comfort because we had family and church friends waiting for us, ready to welcome us with open arms. God had also orchestrated a job opportunity for my younger brother, who was busy remodeling small houses and businesses, providing him with work and purpose. The most joyful person during this transition was my mother, whom I hadn't seen in quite some time, and her happiness was unmistakable. After working with my brother, God had opened a new door for me, presenting a job that brought me more satisfaction and joy than any of the pleasurable jobs I had previously held, dating all the way back to when I first started working in Miami. This move, like all the others, was part of a larger divine plan, and it brought with it a sense of fulfillment and purpose that transcended mere occupation, touching the core of my being and renewing my faith in God's guidance.I spent years working in the cabinetry industry, constructing cabinets for large retail chains and well-known store brands. The process was highly systematic; the computerized systems precisely cut the wood pieces and carefully arranged them on pallets, each designated for different stations along the production line. These lines were lined with skilled, professional cabinet makers who took pride in their craftsmanship, working in harmony to produce high-quality products. As I worked alongside them, I felt a profound sense of divine presence—God was gently touching my heart with pure joy and gratitude, especially during those long, demanding six-day workweeks. The pace was relentless, pushing me to my physical and mental limits, necessitating weekly visits to a chiropractor to keep my body functioning and to survive the intense workload. Over time, I became increasingly meticulous in my work, paying attention to every small detail, sometimes to the point of being overly precise or even a bit obnoxious. I would often recite psalms silently to myself as I assembled each cabinet, feeling a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment in the act. This routine of building one cabinet after another became a sacred practice, a way to connect with God and find joy in my labor. My reputation grew as someone who not only built quality cabinetry but also as a psalmist and a disciple, guiding and mentoring the younger men on the shop floor. I took pleasure in sharing wisdom, encouraging them to see their work as more than just a job but as a form of worship and service. This period also coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which dramatically altered many aspects of daily life and work routines. However, I felt a sense of divine guidance and protection, as I was able to transition smoothly into this new phase without the overwhelming pressure that many faced regarding the COVID vaccine. I was spared the stress and anxiety associated with decisions about vaccination, feeling assured that God was guiding my steps and preparing me for whatever lay ahead. This entire journey—from building cabinets to working retail, from physical labor to a more relaxed lifestyle—felt like a divine plan unfolding, guiding me through each season with purpose and grace. Reaching the age of 64 marked a profound turning point in my life, shifting it away from the grandeur of cultural work and big public events to a more personal focus on health, wellness, and staying active. During this time, I had to part ways with my car, which I eventually sent to the junkyard, as the pandemic made it necessary for me to rely on a bicycle to get to the local stores just down the street from our house. This change in transportation meant I found myself with much more time on my hands, which I used to observe the unfolding events around the world and to spend hours on social media platforms. I truly believe that God protected me from some of the dangers that had suddenly appeared across the United States, dangers that seemed to threaten many others during that tumultuous period. I also am grateful that Sandy chose to listen to my advice and decided not to take the COVID vaccine, and I look back on that decision now with gratitude, believing it was part of divine protection. Reflecting on those times, I thank God for guiding her and for His overarching hand in our lives. During this period, I was witnessing the media coverage of the early stages of God's restoration of His movement in the nation, especially as Donald Trump announced his run for president. This event seemed to signal a spiritual awakening and a renewal that resonated deeply with me, especially as I embraced my new role as a retiree. I found great joy and comfort in reading the Psalms, which helped me turn my eyes away from the chaos and turmoil and instead focus on God's promises and His sovereignty. It was a time of spiritual renewal, as I saw God's hand moving through the cultural and political landscape of our country, restoring hope and reminding us of His divine plan for the nation. The combination of these events and reflections gave my life a renewed sense of purpose and joy, as I continued to see God's blessings and His restoration work unfolding before my eyes.

My Life: Following God’s Moves, Finding Joy in Every Step

Answering the Divine Whisper
From the earliest days, our family’s life has unfolded like that of ancient sojourners—forever packing tents, leaving familiar shores behind, and stepping into the unknown at the quiet prompting of the Lord. We never truly settled; we journeyed. Each relocation carried the sacred weight of a calling rather than the restless itch for something new. We moved not by maps or ambition, but by the gentle pull of Heaven’s direction.

Entering God’s Retirement Season
When the Lord led us toward South Carolina, something profound shifted in our spirits. This was no ordinary move. It felt like stepping into the very pages of His personal retirement plan for us—a season carved out for rest, healing, and quiet renewal. After more than forty years away, I returned to a land I once called home, only to find it transformed. The old landmarks had vanished beneath time’s steady hand. Towns I remembered had grown into something new and unfamiliar. Yet in the midst of this beautiful strangeness, comfort wrapped around us like a warm cloak. Family and church friends stood waiting with open arms, as if God Himself had gone ahead to prepare the welcome.

Family Joys and Fresh Doors
My mother’s face shone with a happiness I had not seen in years, and her delight became the brightest melody of our transition. God, ever faithful, also opened meaningful work for my younger brother—remodeling small houses and businesses—giving him strength, purpose, and the satisfaction of creating with his hands once more. For me, another door swung wide open, leading to work that touched my soul more deeply than any position I had held since those early, hopeful days in Miami.

The Holy Rhythm of the Workshop
For years I labored in the cabinetry trade, crafting fine pieces for well-known stores and retail giants. The workshop was a symphony of precision and craftsmanship: computerized saws singing through wood, neatly stacked pallets moving like obedient servants along the line, and skilled hands transforming raw lumber into objects of beauty and strength.

The days were long and the weeks stretched to six, testing the limits of body and spirit. Yet it was there, amid the sawdust and sweat, that God drew especially near. I would quietly recite the Psalms as I fitted each piece, my heart rising in worship with every cabinet completed. The work became prayer. My attention to detail grew almost fierce, and what others might have called perfectionism felt to me like holy reverence. In time, I became known not only as a craftsman but as a psalmist on the floor—mentoring younger men, encouraging them to see their labor as sacred service, a form of worship offered to the King.

Grace in the Shadow of the Storm
Then came the tempest of the COVID years. While the world spun in fear and uncertainty, I walked in a peace that could only come from above. God shielded me from the crushing anxieties that gripped so many. I am forever grateful that my dear wife Sandy listened to the same gentle counsel and chose not to take the vaccine. Looking back now, I see His protecting hand so clearly, and my heart overflows with thanksgiving.

Bicycle Days and Quiet Reflections
At sixty-four, my life turned another gracious corner. I bid farewell to my car, sending it to its final resting place, and embraced the simple freedom of a bicycle for daily errands. Those rides through neighborhood streets became pathways of freedom. With more time on my hands, I turned my eyes outward to the unfolding drama of our nation and inward to the deep wells of Scripture. The Psalms became my daily bread, anchoring my soul when chaos swirled around.

Beholding the Restoration
In that quieter season, I watched with wonder as the early winds of God’s restoring work began to stir across our land. When Donald Trump stepped forward once more, it felt like a signal of hope rising—an awakening I had long prayed to see. Instead of fear, my spirit filled with expectation. God was moving. He was not finished with our nation.

The Quiet Secret of a Joy-Filled Life
Every chapter of this journey has taught me the same radiant truth: When I follow God’s moves, joy follows close behind. He has turned hard labor into holy communion, uncertain roads into adventures of faith, and the twilight years into a season rich with purpose and peace.

I followed His leading… and I have been deeply, wonderfully, abundantly happy.

The Lord writes beautiful stories, and I am grateful beyond words to be living inside His.