There is beautiful light in this late afternoon as I pause from the flood of other activities to sit still, reflect and see if a few words flow.

A very nice little piano piece complements the light.

By outward signs, I’m in a different place than two weeks ago. I have permission to engage. Something which is both welcome and a challenge. I have been forced to sideline two things I really wanted to pay attention to in this near term timeframe, both inviting and rewarding. Ah, choices.

Emmaus and a rather significant, if only temporary, family matter (no one you know) has swooped in and captured a lot of my time and attention. Emmaus, of course, is not a surprise. The family matter is.

But, it’s not all projects, responsibilities and commitments.

I had the most delightful lunch and extended walk today with my special friend, Mike. Some of you know him. We were college roommates. He stood up at my baptism in the spring of 1977, along with lifelong friend, Shack. I was best man at his wedding. We have shared a whole lot of life together. Today, it was lunch and a midday stroll around Lake Hodges. My first time actually out in the world, walking a trail, since the artery thing. Wonderful. Birds. Breeze. A lot of geek talk. He’s a tech guy. Well, he’s a lot more than a tech guy (he’s an athlete and has many, many interests) but he’s also a tech guy. Been retired for awhile and teaches tech stuff to a lot of seniors. Actually, I’m a senior so his students are my people. Mike was a very successful top executive for a premier company whose name everyone will recognize. Lives in the same house he and his wonderful wife bought in 1983, if memory serves. They don’t come more humble than Mike. Deep and abiding faith. An inspiration. We geeked out on tech talk as we walked. Test drove some radios for distance, volume, squelch and all of that stuff. We also talked backup systems, troubleshooting and the like. It was just a real blessing to be walking along a shoreline with a close friend, feeling the warm breeze, chatting with bird watchers, resting in the day.

That walk also helped give me a break from this torrent of stuff that is my course at the moment. No complaining as this is how most of us live our lives. Just making an observation. I intend, very soon, to write about balance. It touches me when I hear that this or that has resonated.

Three things happened yesterday that deserve mentioning. First, Neal shared a perfect message to the congregation in the morning. It concerned trust. Let’s trust the lessons we’ve learned about God’s faithfulness and presence. I can’t agree more. He’s shown up more times than I can remember in the last ten years. During tough times, he’s shown up in a big way. Like, I had no idea how to get through this thing and he showed up and it worked out. I finally got the point. Trust him. Hasn’t failed yet.

Then, we had just a plainly perfect lunch with Tony and Kathleen and were overjoyed that they’ll join Tim, Anita, Diane and me on Leg 1 of our Mediterranean odyssey in July. Two weeks ago, I didn’t know if I could go or would be in a position to even consider going. Now, I’m like the cruise director. How fun is that!

Then, one of my all time favorite and best students, Ashley, Uni High Class of 1986, dropped by the house for a visit. She has the same laugh she had as a seventeen year old. Very infectious. New York Times Bestselling author. Mucky-a-muck in the White House … I won’t mention which one because I don’t want any pre-judging. It was great to see her. I think she still feels like I was a pretty decent history teacher. Lee was over and interacted for awhile. I let them talk philosophy and stuff. Generations.

The rest of this week will be extremely busy. Not sure how I’ll get through it all. After Saturday, perhaps, a respite.

None of that matters in light of what Shannon and others are facing. You others? You know I know who you are. My mind and heart goes to you in the middle of the night. In the early morning and occasionally throughout the day. You are imprinted on Diane’s and my hearts. Your lives are our lives. May God bless you and encourage you and heal you and care for you.

Lord, thank you for small and great gifts. Thank you for trails and birds and lakes, even if some are pretty dried up. Thank you for old and new friends. Thank you for calling us. Thank you for giving us ears to hear. Please strengthen us and lead us. We surrender into your presence. Amen.