The Kid on the Trail

Times of refreshing on a hot day at the summit of Pack Monadnock.

A very pleasant woman at the state park toll booth yesterday peered into my driver’s window and greeted me as though I were her next door neighbor. We chatted briefly about the hot weather but that the woods would be cooler and the summit refreshing, and that taking a summer hike was better than sitting at home in heat wave quarantine. “That will be four dollars…unless, of course, you are a senior citizen and then there is no charge,” she said. And when I acknowledged that I indeed qualified, she said, “My, well you certainly don’t look it!” Made my day.

Or so I thought. As I adjusted my backpack and gulped some water, I sensed this relatively short but steep jaunt up the mountain was to be more than just a nice hike. I had been reminded over the past 24 hours of how countless men and women through the ages have sensed the presence of God by walking through His creation. Sometimes, sensing in very unusual ways. It’s always evident, but not always noticed and often taken for granted, and so I was on a mission to enjoy the day and to be aware that I was not alone. And for some inspiration before launching out, I decided to check my bible app for the verse of the day…

”Some people brought their little children to Jesus so He could touch them, but His followers told them to stop. When Jesus saw this, He was upset and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children. I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.'” 

—Mark 10:13-15, NCV

Huh. What I remembered most about that passage was that it was one of the few instances where Jesus got really angry with His disciples. The NIV even says He was “indignant.” What's with that? More than just an incident involving little kids, it would seem Jesus was and is serious about how we look at living life in His kingdom—and that it is not as adulting as we would like to think. 

It all seemed rather random out here in the middle of the woods. Still, I figured there was something to be gleaned from the passage as I headed up the trail. There was a nice breeze and the sound of a few birds singing in the distance, but other than the sound of my feet negotiating rocks and roots, all was very quiet and peaceful. But then, a strange sound in the distance. It sounded like a two-way radio but with laughter. A park ranger, perhaps? And then suddenly, around a bend in the trail, a young boy about 12 all by himself (his parents, I learned, were not far behind) came bounding to a stop. He had some sort of a walkie-talkie where he was communicating with the leader. He looked fearless and wide-eyed. And he just stood there, hands on hips, smiling, waiting for me to go by.

And there it was! That easily forgotten picture of what it’s supposed to look like walking with Jesus every day in His kingdom here on earth….“The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.”—Matthew 18:4, NCV

But as I too quickly forget, to be child-like humble on this journey does not mean to be childish or weak or soft. Here, right in front of me on the trail, was Jesus’ serious reminder of what continually being child-like before Him really looks like:

• Having a kids’ untarnished heart to always learn and explore in wonder the things of God, leaving worldly cynicism and worry at the door
• Remembering to love life and people simply because we know and love the One who made it and them all
• Bounding along the journey in boldness and joy, even if there are a few sprained ankles along the way, because our Leader always knows the way and has got us in His grip
• Trusting, feeling safe, always feeling welcome in the Father’s presence simply because “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
• Having that kid’s walkie-talkie lifestyle—always talking and listening to the Leader for guidance
• Always looking Up in honor and admiration—the Mentor of all mentors
• Remembering to smile and laugh…often

I soon arrived at the summit, drenched in sweat but fully energized. Having encountered that verse and that boy and his walkie-talkie along the way had me bounding like a kid from rock to rock to take in the panoramic vistas and feel the refreshing breeze.

I had thought that pleasant woman’s comment at the base parking lot would be my highlight of the day, but this was much better—a reminder to my adulting self to “carry this moment with you, and carry it often, because it’s easy to forget that this is what walking with Jesus in His Kingdom here on earth is supposed to look like.”

Radar Up

Creation speaking up the road from my backyard

 “…and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy. Listen to Him.’—Matthew 17:5, NLT

I know and believe God has spoken this way, and that He still does on occasion. And yet whenever I’m in a conversation where someone boldly announces they heard from God, why is that everything within me wants to stand at arm’s length?

Them: “God told me…”

Me thinking: “Really? In an audible voice? Are you sure? Told you how, exactly? And how did you know it was God?”

Some people sincerely claim they hear God speaking to them regularly in an audible voice, like the voice-over calling Dr. Bob in The Muppets’ “Veterinarian’s Hospital” segment. I'd love to hear God like that.

But this week, I heard birds. And I’m good with that...

“Having your spiritual radar up in constant anticipation of His presence—even in the midst of the joyful chaos and regular rhythms of your everyday living—is paramount in hearing God, because sometimes the place and manner you find Him is the least spectacular you'd expect.”

—Priscilla Shirer, author

... As I often do as part of my morning routine in the warm weather months, after I grabbed my coffee yesterday, I opened the door to the porch to greet the day and to once again breathe in the breath God has given me. But there was something else: it was wicked noisy. Not traffic, not windy, but very, very birdie. The “dawn chorus” of the early morning birds in the summer was nothing new, but the volume yesterday seemed exceptionally loud. Excited about something? A lot to say? Announcing to one another a new source of food or a new predator in the neighborhood? Huh. While marveling at the sound, and finding a sense of assurance that, yet again, everything that has breath does indeed praise the Lord for that breath, I thought that was that and went back inside to my usual spot near the window, with bible and notebook and a couple of devotional books.

But then, a “voice-over” of sorts that wasn’t audible but that seemed to be clearly directed at me. I opened the day’s selection from a devotional called “Because God…I Can,” written by one of my previous pastors, Steve Gammon. And the “God told me” voice-over was this:

“Ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7-10)…Have you heard? God is speaking through His creation. As an artist speaks through his or her handiwork, God reveals Himself in the wonders He has made. Flowers, gemstones, and tropical fish eloquently shout the beauty of God and the brilliance of His glory. Snowflakes reflect the purity of God’s holiness, His grace to cover sin, and the sheer endlessness of His creativity. The lion, tiger and bear hint at His strength and fearlessness, and the soaring eagle exhibits the graceful moving of God far above all things. The trees point upward toward heaven, and the wind speaks God’s power to move heaven and earth. The birds show God’s care for all His creations. And every newborn baby affirms the miracle of life, which is of God. It is good for us to hear what God is saying through His creation. Are we listening today?”

And that would have been wonderful enough. But this morning, after a restless night for whatever reason, I opened that porch door again and intentionally listened for the birds’ cacophony. Not as loud as yesterday, but the reminder made me put up my spiritual radar again. And it was simply a sense, an inner voice: “check out Psalm 143.” And back in my usual spot by the window, I turned to this, and exhaled…“Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way I should go for I lift up my soul to You.” (Psalm 143:8, NLV) …Hey, it’s true—God told me!

Sometimes, the most important thing God wants to tell us is that He is still in control, large and in charge, that His love for us never quits (even when we think He’s got to have a limit), and that no matter how crazy this world gets, God will always care immensely for all His creation and all He has made.

And sometimes, He will make it known loud and clear yet without a booming voice from above—even through something as simple as the morning birds. Radar up…

Paying Attention

Along the Marginal Way, Ogunquit, ME

 “But there is only one thing that is essential. Miryam [Mary] has chosen the right thing, and it won’t be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:42, Complete Jewish Bible

It seems that many of our dreams are just mixed up gobbledygook that’s easily forgotten, but then there are those that seem to say “pay attention to this.” The other night, I remember observing a long list of what seemed to be great ideas and thoughts, waiting for a winner to be selected as on a talent show. There were some obvious contenders and personal favorites, but when the winner was selected, everyone (myself included) was stunned.

“Wait, what? Who?” And way down this very long list, the winner’s name was found: “Mary.” Yes, that Mary. I sensed many around me were shaking their heads in unbelief. But in my dream, the word “Mary” seemed to jump off the list and pass right before my eyes… “Pay attention to this.”

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42  is one of the most polarizing for believers. I know I have a love-hate relationship with it. At first glance, the Home Depot “do-ers” (and that would be most of us born in the USA) who are wired more like Martha think Jesus is favoring the more contemplative Mary. We can get a bit defensive and try to counter with Paul’s words that “we are God’s workmanship created to do good works…that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). Yeah!…Also true, but when Jesus speaks, it is best to follow the Leader. What might He be really saying?

A closer look at this story seems to indicate that it is not as it first appears—it’s not really about do-ers vs. contemplative personalities. After all, no one ever did as much amazing stuff as Jesus did. Instead, if we can get past the defensiveness, it seems to be about priorities and dealing with all the distractions of life that would try to get in the way of the one thing that really matters.

And Jesus is quite clear in identifying that greatest priority of them all: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. There is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (Matthew 22:37, Message).

It is hard to do that—wait, it is impossible to do that—when we’re distracted. It is even hard to do that when we’re busy doing God-busy things. Doing the stuff is still important—it’s gotta get done—but before lifting a finger or getting distracted by what needs to be done, it would seem Jesus is saying to Martha and all of us down through the ages that no matter how busy we are or what needs to get done, the best and first move is always to take our cue from Mary and make sitting at the feet of Jesus (the position of a disciple) our priority. In case there are any doubts, it gets no clearer than this:

…“I am the Vine and you are the branches. Get your life from Me. THEN I will live in you and you will give much fruit. You can do nothing without Me.”

—John 15:5, NLV

Mary's is the position of the heart of worship—worship that is more than 20 minutes of singing, or going to church every Sunday but of one who seeks to trust and obey Jesus’ greatest commandment of them all, whether we are more Home Depot-inclined or contemplative. Because this is the position for our life’s purpose, effectiveness and fruitfulness, and its launching pad for becoming better reflectors of Jesus to those around us. We keep trying to look elsewhere, but it is found only here, and nowhere else…and deep down inside, our hearts know it and even long for it. It is something that needs frequent recalibrating, and thus sometimes the Lord sends us crazy dreams as a reminder, but it is still the right and only position that matters.

Because the story of Mary and Martha and Jesus and all the rest of them really comes down to this:

"I Am looking for a people that will simply pay attention to Me.”

—Andy Byrd, from “Fire and Fragrance”

Selah…

The Porch Awakening

On this porch, to everything there is a season…

A time to sweep up wind-blown pollen and a time to sweep away wind-blown snow

A time to put up a Christmas tree and a time to set down some warm-weather seedlings

A time to listen to the sound of thunder and falling rain and a time to listen to the crinkling sound of snow against the screens

A time to eat a summer meal barefoot and a time to drink a steaming beverage in a hoodie

A time to stop the wheels of doing and unexpectedly doze off, and a time to hear the screen door slam on the way out to more yard work and tending the grill

A time to savor a warm breeze on a summer evening and time to feel the roar of a winter gale

A time to hear all of creation awakening the dawn and a time to to hear the deafening silence of a January night..

A time to be grateful, and never a time to be ungrateful…

Of that last one, I often wondered why that is, until one day this week, a little early morning routine awakened a discovery.

Because on this porch, in every season, no matter the weather, the early morning routine begins by prying open eyelids, coffee mug in hand, and looking out into the woods, and thanking God for another day of “life and breath and everything else” and declaring regardless of current situation, mood or attitude one of the most common praises of them all: “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

And the awakening was this: When the author of Psalm 118 first shouted that most common praises of them all, it wasn’t just to celebrate a fresh start, a new day, and “let’s go!” 

He was celebrating gratitude in the midst of life’s daily trials, stresses and battles.

How no matter what was going on his world, he felt the Lord’s love that never quits

How in his moments of anguish and fear, when he cried out to God, even just “Help!,” He answered

How that he found even the best plans and systems and ideas of the world paled in comparison to knowing the smartest Man in the room

How that when surrounded by difficulties and perplexities and battles and a mile-long “to-do” list that “swarmed around me like bees,” he found order and victory and strength to carry on by declaring the unmatched power of the Name of the Lord over each and every one of them.

How that just when he thought he couldn’t take much more, the Lord came to his rescue and became “my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.”

How that somehow, he saw the day when the Savior of the world would come and turn history on its ear, so much so that it would become “marvelous in our eyes.”

And how because of all of that and so much more, no matter his disposition or whether he was feeling “up” or “down” with his Walk at the moment, he couldn’t help but celebrate that every day through thick and thin has been a gift, and that God has been in them and with him through them all.

And so he shouted:

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

He’s been faithful in all the rest and He will be now...

Which may be why this porch, in every season, is my favorite room in the house.

It’s where each day begins.

It’s where after this week's awakening moment that, hopefully, I will not take the psalmist’s declaration for granted ever again.

Because in every season, every day is a time to grateful, and never a time to be ungrateful.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

The Legacy Ship

There once was a man who was one of the best specialists in the treatment of deadly tuberculosis, but who according to a local newspaper tribute was known primarily as “cheerful, and was concerned about his fellowman, thousands of whom lived longer or are living today because they were fortunate enough to have had the benefit of his care and advice.” This man partnered with one of the most famous surgeons of his day to help discover new medicines that eventually arrested tuberculosis promptly, and no longer made necessary the special hospital where he was its senior physician. It was said this man was such an expert at radiography that he received x-rays from “all over the country for interpretation and diagnosis.” Raised on the family farm in Newfoundland and a wounded Canadian war hero in World War I, he was remembered by a pastor friend as “a great man who had served humanity well.”

That man was my grandfather, the late Dr. Garnet P. Smith (pictured), who though in every way professional was hardly stuffy— as a little kid, I once saw him dancing like a little boy in his study to “The Merry Widow” operetta playing on his phonograph. At such a young age, a kid doesn’t remember much of significance of their grandparents until they’re gone. But when Puppa Smith passed, I was amazed at the tributes paid to him, most notably a beautiful oil painting of a ship that was painted by a grateful patient and presented to my grandfather in gratitude for helping to save his life. My dad passed it along to me, and though I’ve downsized and tossed many things over the years, that painting remains a fixture on my living room wall as a reminder of a good and honorable legacy passed down and of what a life well-lived looks like.

It’s a reminder to carry on what my grandfather handed down to my dad, and he to me, and I pray that I have handed off to my own kids, that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalm 27:23)

It’s a reminder that...

...Walking in the footsteps of the Lord matters more than just about anything, because it is in these steps that a man, woman or youth practically walks out the purpose for living each day—carrying God’s light and love and hope into darkness and discouragement.

Examples are set and handed down. “One generation commends Your works to another…” says the psalmist, and when that baton lands in your hands, it’s meant to be not just admired but worn well like those who’ve gone before you and then passed on daily like a cloak of honor.

But who is that “good” man or woman? By the world’s definition, there are millions of them out there (for which we are grateful), but the ones whose steps are ordered by the Lord are supposed to also have a “You’re different” section on their resume.

For one, a "good" man or woman in God's eyes is one who lives intentionally (albeit imperfectly) to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

For another, it is the overflow of a life whose first love and persevering trust is in the only One who is good (Mark 10:18)...ergo, ultimately seeking to be a reflector of the God in whose steps you’re following.

And for another, there is this drop-the-mic one-liner about the vital importance of what we think about, dwell on, and pursue: "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things of the good stored up in him." (Matthew 12:34-35). Wow, imagine a world like that.

That ship painting is also a reminder that following in the footsteps of the Lord and the example of those who’ve gone before sometimes happens through calm waters and sunny days but often through stormy seas—and in either case, to keep pressing on, full-sailed, because as Jesus demonstrated more than once to His first followers, He is right there with them whenever the waters get rough and the wind howls.

And one more thing…that painting is a reminder that the Lord never intends for anyone to follow in His footsteps alone. We may each have our own journey to take, but He puts other “ships” around us to support us, befriend us, and fight through the rough seas with us as we seek to live well and pass it on to those around us.

I see that painting today on Father’s Day and am reminded once more that the baton that began with my grandfather and was handed off to my dad and now to me is meant to be good and fruitful for as long as I have breath. To pray that that legacy continues to my own children (and clearly there is evidence that it is so, right down to both following professions that help other people live) and all the generation of Smiths to come. And each day, to hold on for dear life to: "Guide my steps—steady my feet—as You promised.” (Psalm 119: 133, Expanded), and to live out loud the old song…

“Write on my tongue, let my words edify

Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in Thy sight

Take charge of my thoughts both day and night

Order my steps in Your Word

Please, order my steps in Your Word”

Foundations

At a corner of the corner of Main and Grove.

I could walk through my town a thousand times a day and find something beautiful to photograph—people, architecture, the way the sun’s setting paints a golden glow on old buildings, waterfalls and reflections, flowers in bloom and trees clothed in fall foliage or standing bravely naked against the harsh winter. I look for objects that paint a pleasant, beautiful or hopeful mood or that prompt some sort of good vibes within when you look at them—never too much positivity in a world like ours.

A photograph, well, like this one: Just a bunch of cool-looking rocks holding up a corner of the old Granite Block building at the corner of Main and Grove in my hometown. Colorful, artsy foundation architecture for sure, but I remember when I took that photo a couple of years ago, it was intentional—to help practically illustrate a teaching on something mysterious that Jesus said about Himself many years ago:

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the very stone—the cornerstone—that holds together the entire foundation.” (Luke 20:17).

That's a great image to hold on to when you wake up every morning to a world gone mad, where all around seems shaken and unstable. The Lord who made heaven and earth and all that is in them is still the firm foundation of it all. Whew! But the news gets even better, and frankly a bit unbelievable, for anyone who has made Jesus the cornerstone for life—news that promises a life full of meaning and adventure and fantastic purpose, even amidst all the trials and stresses that everyone has to deal with on planet Earth. And Peter, that most imperfect and relatable of all disciples, sends the invitation that has no expiration date: “Come to Him, the risen Lord, as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. You believers, like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)

While that always sounds like “Amen!” music to the ears and you know in your brain that it is so because God said it is so, truth be told, there can be days when I wake up on the wrong side of bed and wonder how on earth I can fit in to that kind of holy structure — to reflect the love of God to people and situations and conversations throughout the day. "Maybe not today. Too may faults and blemishes and inconsistencies." On such days, Peter's invitation is still a beautiful picture, but something seems missing...

... My newspaper publisher, when I first broke into journalism back in the day, never let us settle for the obvious. He’d often say something like, “Dig! Get more details. Tell a story.” And once that gets in your blood, there’s no turning back. I had to admit that “cornerstone” was a word I could easily throw around and nod at, but didn’t know much about. And how do the other stones fit in?  So, I dug a bit. From an architectural definition:

“The cornerstone, also known as the foundation stone or setting stone, is the first stone to be laid in the building of a foundation. All other stones will be placed with reference to this stone… The cornerstone should be selected based on its quality and the reputation of the builder….Cornerstones can also be used as an anchor for heavy loads [Amen!], such as when placing a foundation under a house or garage. … It is laid initially to verify that the structure is square and sturdy. It is the rock that bears the weight of the entire construction…

… Each stone has been selected with care; some are more notable than others, but they all serve one purpose: they build up the structure so that it is solid and reliable.”

Every picture tells a story beyond the obvious, and there it is!

Unlike many other photos that can be liked and quickly forgotten, I will often return to this one and gaze intently as one might do at a painting in an art gallery. I return to praise God in awe and wonder and joy as I remind myself that no matter what kind of day I'm waking up to or think I’m having, He always has and always will delight in choosing to build His Kingdom every single day with and through a bunch of imperfect, oddly-shaped stones who simply depend on the Cornerstone for unshakeable strength.

No excuses. Time to get on with it...

The Sign by the Lake

Evening walk at Edward MacDowell Lake.

A line from a prayer we taught our kids after we tucked them into their beds at night has stayed with me all these years. It could be at bedtime praying for tomorrow and it could be in the early morning routine of welcoming the day from the porch: “… help me the path of love to take.” If nothing else gets accomplished, there are few things more important than that — the love of God within expressed in words, actions, and (maybe especially) attitudes.

Sometimes, it can be hard to wrap your arms around what that kind of Love will, should or could look like. It can show up in the routine of things, and in unpredictable and in surprising situations and conversations. It can be noisy and sweaty, and it can be so quiet that no one notices except you and God and you don’t even realize it has happened until afterwards. All you know is that...

...the path of Love is right and good, and it is the Word for your life…and it is really deep—deeper than you can ever imagine. Until you see a sign…

The other night, though I wasn’t really looking for it, I was on that path of Love. In the natural, the path was a familiar friend close to home that hugs the shoreline of a large reservoir of water. Many a time, I have launched my kayak here. Most of the time, silence is the soundtrack that's playing gently in the background. The sun sets beautifully here, and when there are puffy clouds in the sky, the mirror image on the glassy lake can be breathtaking. On this night, there was a kayaker’s awareness of what happens when there hasn’t been much rain lately — the lake was low, as it often gets this time of year, still with plenty of water but with shallow water reeds and large boulders emerging. You could almost walk across it in places. Meanwhile, everything else around the lake — the gently blowing grasses, marshes, and woodlands all looked as they should be.

As I reached the end of the path where kayaks, canoes and fishing boats can be launched, a broken tree with a freshly-nailed, hand-written marker told a different story. Last July, when the rains were endless and heavy, this path of Love was so deep that everything around me was covered with five feet of water. A marker on the tree showed what that would have looked like. It was stunning to picture it while standing there, even surrounded by beautiful woodlands, knowing that I’d be standing on tippy toes to get air. An astounding amount of water, and yet the sign noted that the reservoir basin was still only at 35% capacity! What it didn’t say was that the dam at the end of the reservoir, which was erected many years ago after much of the downtown area was devastated by flooding waters during the Hurricane of 1938, gradually released that abundant overflow to the community downstream. It roared in places and quietly meandered in places, but the supply seemed endless even as the reservoir slowly returned to its normal level.

And just when you think it is all very interesting and historical and weather-geeky, along comes this…

“…And may you, having been deeply rooted and securely grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all…God’s people the width and length and height and depth of His love— fully experiencing that amazing, endless love; and that you may come to know practically, through personal experience, the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience; that you may be filled up throughout your being to all the fullness of God so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives—completely filled and flooded with God Himself.”—Ephesians 3:17-19, Amplified

Filled and flooded…and overflowing to the community downstream. It's a sign. “Help me the path of Love to take.”