Thoughts from a Traveler

 In my role as a ‘contributing alumnus’ of my graduate school, Georgia State University, I was in Atlanta poised to make contributions as a member of the College of Education’s Advancement Council and co-leader of the Alumni Network for Charlotte area folks. The other leader was my buddy for a quick, but enjoyable road trip.  The night before, we ended our conversation by joining together for our bedtime prayers.  His prayer request was for peace.

Early the next morning I was up early, thus was the first to shower.  Afterwards I decided to search the Scriptures for verses on ‘peace.’  I delighted in what I found:  statements of fact that the peace of Christ is unique and special, promises given that this peace is readily available to believers, and reminders not to forget the great gift of that peace.  Yet one verse, from Luke 1, stood out from the others.  It seemed to be the one to share before breakfast; the one to ponder before beginning a day of service and purposeful contributions.

As it was time to go down for breakfast, I looked out the window at the skyline of the jewel of the New South and discovered an interesting sunrise.  I asked my colleague to come look, suggesting that we have our table grace at the window in order to bask in the dawn of a new day.  Usually inspirational sunrises occur over the ocean or mountains.  Yet our light from heaven was basking on offices, apartments and hotels, yet most importantly into our room.  Observing this was the man seeking extra peace.  It was as if Luke’s observation that God’s sunlight would shine on people, in pain and challenging circumstances, was being displayed for us.  It became obvious to me that that light is available to the multitudes of people who have a reason to be in the city.  I desired for the light to guide both of us to walk in a pathway of peace, further understanding from Luke that this is possible.  After a few moments, our feet began to move, first to breakfast, later to the places where we had committed to make contributions.  In those offices we encountered warm people with listening ears, helpful suggestions, and supportive attitudes. Our contributions bore fruit; we journeyed home feeling peace about that gift of fruit.

Later, my feet were guided to Raleigh in order to attend a fundraiser for a Christian mission attempting to lead impoverished children towards becoming whole people.  I had the opportunity to interact with former classmates.  We need to move towards being whole people as well.  One was my first friend, a person whom I have known since earliest childhood.  We shared stories from our lives in the past 40 years. I began to bear her burden as she related the loss of her mother and two sisters; all had made their heavenly journey too young.  Amid a crowd of 300, I tried to be an agent of God’s tender mercies by intently listening, giving gentle backrubs, and later hugs.  I was bearing her burden as I listened to details of her pilgrimage and of the contributions, she had made to family members. I was encountering a lady of great strength and resilience, yet whose life was still tainted by pain.

Always, the tender mercy of God is available as we encounter the rough edges of life.  The rising sun will shine on us as we seek additional peace in our lives.  Luke relates God’s promise to shine light on our grief and broken emotions.  I claim these promises for two special friends who are dear to me.  I look forward to standing with them, as I stood by a hotel window observing the beauty of a sunrise, to make useful contributions and observe how their feet will be guided into paths of peace.