The Steep and Narrow Path

Well, it's Monday and I didn't walk today...but for a legitimate reason. Tracey and I drove to Seaside OR yesterday after church (about a 2 hour drive) to visit some of our most dear friends in the whole world who were in for a little RandR. Their names are Mo and Kranky (obviously their real names). Now we hadn't been together for a while so we spent most of our time just catching up on our lives and families and stuff. Just a wonderful time together.
And then Tracey brought up politics...
Well it was clear we were on different pages at this point in the game, but it was a very civil debate and quite informative. What we came away with was that no matter what we may like or dislike about our respective candidates, we both agreed that this was A) the most exciting presidential race in a long time, and B) that both of these men were men of integrity, and C) that both of these men were very inspiring.
Well we had a great time together, and we stayed the night, got up real early and headed home for work (thus the no walking). But on the way home, I was captivated by this idea of lives of inspiration. Who are the people that really inspire me? Well I can tell you that two of them are Mo and Kranky. Both of these guys are cancer survivors who have had to deal with very difficult and trying circumstances in their lives. When I think of people enduring hardships I can't help but think of them. When I think of my life and the "suffering" I have had to endure, it seems so trivial and minute.
You know, there are lots of people out walking around today who are not recognized by us as heroes. Some people may seem to be ordinary old people who are pretty "normal." But they have inspirational stories of courage and bravery to rival any that we may hear about in presidential ads. Enduring difficulties makes us stronger. Just like Mo and Kranky. You guys inspire me.

Walk Humbly My Friend

I went for a walk last night last night with three of my friends (who will remain nameless to protect their identities). It was one of those really nice nights where four friends walk and talk and have just a great time together. It would have been a fine evening had we left it just at that. But no...we had to mess it all up by trying to play golf while we were walking. 

Golf is the most humbling of games. I started the game with a bogey (one over par). Now for a real golfer they might be a bit bummed. But I hadn't played golf all year (except for St Andrews in Scotland...see my other blog about that) and so starting with a bogey was a good sign. I followed that up with a par. A PAR? How did that happen? Not only did I get a par, but it was a well played controlled par. Like I actually intended to do it. It was as if I was in total control of my game and my clubs. I was on a roll.

Now....right now...is the danger zone. Once you hit the place where you think you are in control...when all is going well...the wheels fall off the bus. It is amazing what goes on in your head when you are playing golf the way it is supposed to be played. Now suddenly, your pleasant walk turns into a competition. You start to think you know what the other guys should be doing to improve their struggling game. They start trying to play better and the joking turns to jabbing. And all the while you are trying to pretend as if you are just as surprised as they are that you are just a notch below Tiger. 

But something happens in your body. Your body knows that you are just a notch above a tree sloth and this is an absolute fluke. Your body begins to revolt and tense up under the pressure of not wanting to look like a fool to your friends. But we all know...its about to unravel. 

And there it goes...the drive sails into the trees. The 3 iron bounces off of a tree and goes behind another tree behind you. You grab a 7 iron to punch it delicately out into the fairway. In your attempt at being delicate you hit the ground three inches behind the ball and the divot goes farther than the ball. Now you need a miraculous 5 wood shot to hit the green and roll in for a par. And when you actually strike the ball you know it has a chance...but only if the lake hadn't been right where the green should have been. The tension is so strong in your neck now that even selecting the pitching wedge out of the bag is painful. Another couple of muffed shots and your on the green putting to salvage a 9 (don't want to go to double digits). You finish the hole, pick up your bag, and walk in shame to the next hole. 

The great consolation in that walk of shame is that now all your friends welcome you back. They're actually glad to see you. They knew that their friend had been away on a journey but now he had returned. All is right with the world again...order has been returned to the universe. All of us are back in our normal place in the world.

And then....I hit a crushing drive right down the middle....you know where this is going.

Epilogue:

One of my friends who was on the walk with me shot par on every hole. I was amazed at how consistent he really was. No matter how many strokes he took he always came back with a par. I asked him how that worked and he just said to me "it's really easy, all you have to do is determine what the par is for every hole and then it is easy to shoot par." 

Hmmm...why hadn't I thought of that?

A Walk Back in Time

Have you ever been listening to music and all of the sudden you are transported back in time? Some music takes you to those times and places that are so key in your life. Well this morning I went on a little walk back through my life. The vehicle...Loggins and Messina.

Okay lets get this straight first and foremost. L&M are one of the most underrated bands to come out of the 70's. They had the folky thing happening with Kenny Loggins and all of his really memorable ballads. You had the early country rock vibe from Jimmy Messina's time spent in the band Poco. They had the Jam Band thing down way back then with a band of supporting musicians that can span super country to island funk...it really was a remarkable band. 

So I'm listening to their classic live album "On Stage". Now I gotta tell you, this album came out in 1974. By the time Tracey Fenstermaker came into my life, I had that album memorized. It was already ingrained in my life and my mind as the soundtrack to

 the life and love I wanted for my life. So when I met Tracey and found out that she was a huge L&M fan (she'd actually been fortunate enough to see them in concert), well it was as if we were meant to be together. Sometimes it is those little things that make you know you are on the right path.

So this morning I hear the first song..."House at Pooh Corner." Immediately I am transported back to those days before kids and experiencing the growing baby inside my young wife's belly. I remember so well the anticipation and the fear of actually being responsible for another person's life. But that song just made me anticipate the good that was to come. Having the "Little Princess" in our lives changed us both for the better. 

"Danny's Song" was next...it reminds me of waiting for our little boy to come into our lives. Having a beautiful little girl made us so much more  eager for that boy. Even today we wait in eager anticipation for him...it is to call us or email us or just anything to let us know he's alive. But he has been worth the wait.

"You Could Break My Heart" reminds me of those days when we were trying to figure each other out. There were days when it was almost unbearable; those differences and hurts, the difficulties of being so young and so poor. But those days were filled with such bliss as well. Growing up together, discovering life together, deciding to stay together.  

It brings me right to the next song..."Lady of My Heart."  Such assurance that while we were not perfect, we could live together in a loving relationship for the rest of our lives.

"Long Tail Cat" reminds me of our two kids growing up and using the Biblical model of "Iron sharpening Iron" to sort out and define who they were to be. They still know how to push each other's buttons.

Well hey, I could go through the whole album. But you see that music is a placeholder in our lives. It reminds us of where we have come from and the joys and pains of growing up. It also reminds us that no matter how difficult our lives can be, there is so much joy to be had by staying on the path...to keep those relationships fresh and alive. In 30 years I intend to be able to walk and listen to this music, and all the new stuff I gain along the way, and remember back to those wonderful days when we joined our lives together. "People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one" and they are dead right.

The Check List for a Great Walk

So I'm thinking this morning, what are the things necessary to make the morning walk really memorable. 

1. A really good pair of shoes makes your feet feel so good. CHECK
2. A really good iPod (or iPhone in my case) to get your groove on. CHECK
3. A really good set of music on the iPod (Jason Mraz this morning...so good). CHECK
4. A beautiful crisp morning, when your face feels really cold...perfect. CHECK
5. A flock of ducks and geese flying over head reminding you of far off places. CHECK
6. Another beautiful moon sinking into the Pacific Ocean. CHECK
7. A great hill to get your heart pumping. CHECK
8. Another blazing sun rising from the east. CHECK
9. An encounter with an Ostrich...WHAT THE....AN OSTRICH?

So I know I'm getting old and my eyes are really starting to tank. But as I am walking along the hill I see something out in the distance. My first thought was it was an ostrich. But you know how you do it, you automatically assume you are wrong. So I started thinking it must be a deer...uh...walking on two legs. So then I thought, it was a guy carrying a big bundle of wheat and burlap sacks coming down from the hills to sell his wheat (kids don't eat paint chips). I thought it could be the biggest thanksgiving turkey I have ever seen.

But as I rounded the corner and headed in the same general direction this thing was going, I could not deny the obvious...IT'S A FLIPPING OSTRICH...NO ONE WILL BELIEVE ME. 

So I'm thinking...where in the who haw did this come from? What is it doing here out in this field and what is that animal accompanying him (or her). Oh, it's a cat.

But as I am contemplating this strange non drug induced apparition, trying to get my iPhone up there to snap it's picture, it starts moving towards me. Slowly at first...but now a little faster. Hey, I have encountered bears and mountain lions and badgers in the wilds...but a flippin ostrich? I booked it...those things can run way faster than me. 

You know, it is always amazing to me how many times God takes the routine and absolutely invade it. But an Ostrich? You are amazing God.

Oh My Goodness

Sooooo...it's been two weeks has it? Well sometimes I get a little distracted. What started as an upset stomach turned into a sore foot, then it was a late night and the next thing you know it turns into two weeks.

Now normally, if I had missed two weeks I would just do what a normal person would do...you know try to make it two years. But I am trying to break those old habits and so this morning I got up early, found my clothes, iPod, and shoes, and hit the streets. 

Now I am not suggesting that God always rewards us when we are obedient...I mean sometimes just the simple act of being obedient is reward enough. But this morning, I have to believe that God said to me "wanna see what you have been missing?" I mean...really...it was awesome. 

I come around the corner, I got the new Jakob Dylan album on the Pod, and I see the moon in all of it's fullness sinking over the hills behind my house. It's one of those big harvest moons, so full and bright, reflecting the Son's glory. I walked even faster up the hill so I could see it sink. Thanks so much God.

So as if that wasn't enough, as I turned east, I could see the skyline turning red. I see a massive V of geese heading north and then POW!!! BOOM!!! Out of the eastern horizon a giant red ball explodes into the day. 

Wow God...you do that so well.

Well I gotta tell you...guilt never works as well as reward.

Yes But It Is A Monday

It's Monday. The alarm on my iPhone still goes off in anticipation that I am going to leap out of bed and head out walking. But today is a holiday. It is a day to honor all of those who work hard among us by giving them a day off. They call it Labor Day. My guess is that some accountant decided that it would be cheaper just give these people a day off than it would be to give them a raise. But none the less...it is a holiday.

It has become a really important time of the year. School begins and summer ends. Churches ramp up their ministries. Politicians attack the other political party...oh wait that happens all the time. But it is a transition time for many people. 

It is also an important transition time for me as well. Laying in bed I was wondering what to do. Do I honor the holiday or do I get up and walk? Do I continue my new regiment of walking and writing?  Do I tell God that I will not be joining him this morning?

Well when you put it like that, what else could I do?

The decisions that we make tend to cast long shadows. When you look back you realize you are a reflection of those decisions.