Once my godchildren, of Oregon, sent me a round refrigerator magnet with the following quote: “Success is a journey, not a destination.” In moving recently, I took it with me to go on the refrigerator in my new home. My mind began to turn round and round about the meaning of this wonderful slogan in my life.

     According to the world’s standards, my destination has not been a success. Having never been happily married and never having children of my own, I have now come to an Adult Retirement Villa to make my new home and as always my budget gets tighter and tighter. Praise God I have a wealth of friends.

     Then I begun to think about my journey and I thank God for how successful it has been. Jesus became my personal Savior when I was just eight years old and the church has been another of my earthly homes. My mother was the epitome of motherhood as she reared ten of us in the simple joy of a country life. Daddy was a waterman and though our worldly possessions were few, the food from the water and land were made gourmet with my mother’s hands as we enjoyed all the natural beauty God had placed around us. I began teaching Sunday School at fourteen years old, and I began teaching public school at nineteen years old. Now, at seventy-three years old, I am still mentoring several young students. The heavenly treasures, which moths or rust cannot destroy, have been heaped on me in abundance through the many lives of children God has used me to help. 

     Once an older brother, who traveled a lot as captain of large yachts, came home to visit. He always had so many stories to tell and was a great talker. He could go on for hours. One day my young nephew from next door came in to listen. My brother said to him, “Are you going to write about all these stories someday?” My nephew stayed silent for a moment and then he replied, “There isn’t enough paper in the world.”

     That’s how I feel about writing about all the children my life has touched and influenced. There isn’t enough paper in the world, but my success has been in my journey and it still goes on. Soon I plan to begin writing the biography of my Mother’s life. Maybe someday someone will write mine. However, our destination was sealed a long time ago for it will be Heaven and it will go on for Eternity. That is Success.

     In a short time, many will celebrate the Birthday of Jesus who came into the world to give us that successful destination. If you do not know Him, why not give yourself the best Christmas gift of all. It is the One Gad gave to us. John 3:16. 

For more information, email Florence Jenkins Muse via . 
© 2002 Florence Jenkins Muse All Rights Reserved