I am writing this edition of Steve’s Story from the balcony of the condo in Myrtle Beach. It overlooks the marsh separating Garden City and Murrell’s Inlet (great place to get seafood). The clouds of hurricane Sally are beginning to creep into the picture.

Although I am trying to get caught up on some work and do some planning for the Fall and Winter, I am still enjoying the rest and relaxation this environment provides. Getting up early and watching the sunrise and setting on the deck of a restaurant watching it go down makes for a wonderful day.

Hurricane Sally will be heading my way in the next few days. I am going to take advantage of the outside–the beach, riding the motorcycle, etc. while I can. I assume I will be forced inside soon.

Although the solitude is nice, I really wish Jan were here. I am sure she would enjoy watching me work! There is something good about breaking the norm and getting out of the regular routine. Even God rested on the seventh day and encouraged those who believed in Him to do the same.

Cool–a beautiful crane just flew by my balcony–not something I would see in my regular routine. I celebrated a wedding on this trip and reconnected with some old friends–not something I would do in my regular routine. I also grieved the death of a very close friend–again, not something I do often in my regular routine.

I guess my point is simple–life, even if lived to old age, is short. We should do our best to take advantage of the routine and the non-routine each day. Life is precious, even in the midst of a storm. Many beautiful, non-routine, things are going on around us all the time. May we just need to rest and relax a bit so we can enjoy them.

This is my story…