traveling light

I recently drove from Washington to Waco and back - far enough that the oil change I'd had done before I left needed to be redone upon my return. On the way down, my car was packed to the gills with furniture and goods that I was delivering, plus more than enough audio books to keep me entertained along the road. I was extremely conscious of the fact that the furniture, which was the main reason for the trip, probably wasn't worth the time, effort and expense that the trip would cost. Freight exceeded value, in essence. I went nonetheless, because I'd said I would (integrity being 90% of showing up) and because I wanted to visit with the recipients.

As it turned out, the trip had nothing to do with furniture. It had to do with presence, and with being available to pitch in and listen. I stayed an extra two days. Instead of resting for the return trip, I worked harder than I have for a long time.

traveling companions

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege to spend a day in a 10-hour conversation with a friend. We talked more deeply about more vital issues than we ever had before, discovering, in the process, how many shared values we had. I also came to have new appreciation and understanding of my friend's life experiences and needs, as well as goals, desires, beliefs and faith. Despite some analogous experiences, we are very different people.

The choice of traveling companions along life's journey is a serious matter. Parents admonish their children to associate with friends whose values won't lead them into temptation. In high school, I was blessed to fall into the company of a pair of twin sisters whose desire to get good grades rubbed off on me. It was the best peer pressure to which I could have succumbed.

Ecclesiastes tells us:

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecc. 4:9-12).

A strong network of people who share your core values is a wonderful blessing. I have friends with whom I share motherly concerns, friends with whom I share professional concerns, and friends with whom I share spiritual concerns. Few people support me in every aspect, simply because they don't have the experience (e.g., they haven't had a career in publications management or they're not a mom). It isn't necessary to have the "perfect" friend -- someone who serves all your needs. You can have multiple marvelous friends who collectively bless you with support and individually bless you with the opportunity to support them.

Whoever they are, and wherever you find them, I highly recommend you engage each friend in at least one deep conversation. Go fishing together. Go for a walk. Or simply sit in a living room and talk about what it means to be mortal.

on the road again

It's been years since I pulled the original "Scenic Overlook" off Blogger, but the journey never stopped. It never does. Just because there's no travelogue doesn't mean there are no hills and valleys, adventures, mishaps and spectacular, breath-taking views.

For the last several days, the blog has been nagging at me. Never a great journalist, except during a particularly dark point, I have recently found the urge to send out some messages that point to hope, joy and glory for those who might need it. And I believe that's each of us. So here I am, back on the road again. You're welcome to come along.

There's lots of time to explore now, since my job of 33 years is almost over. We've sold off the publications, I've closed up the office and am in the process of dissolving the corporation and looking for work. So days are filled with resumes, cover letters, and job searches. It's a bad time to be out of work, made worse by the fact that I've never had to write a resume and found my last job through a newspaper classified in 1976. A lot has changed, and I've had to acquire many skills simply to be effective as an unemployed person. It's not for sissies.

Nonetheless, I've met amazing people out here in Unemploymentland. Some are desperate: benefits have run out, marriages are strained, creditors are impatient. Others have hope, naivete, or both. Some are as ruthless in unemployment as they've been in their careers, but most people display a nobility and dignity that reminds me that we are each created in the image of God.

So for them, and for me, and for you, too, I pray that God might give us work that gives us joy, dignity and fruitful days. And may our work bless those who need our help. Amen.