Touched by Folks
So, there I was last winter, on a dark and windy and rainy night in Corvallis, shoehorned into a small-ish sports bar called the Angry Beaver. The place was packed with old guys from just about every walk of life, but tied together by a single rope that was faithfully held by one hand. Differences in status and health and location melted away that night and old stories were retold and ribald songs sung and plenty of food and drink was consumed because we were all rugby players at OSU. And we were there to honor our coach/mentor/friend, Woody Bennett.
Woody Bennett
Woody is turning 80 and one of the chuckleheads thought that was a good excuse to rally for (possibly) one last time. We visited with one another, which was great, and each had a time to spend with Woody. This man marked my life. I stood near enough to overhear several of the conversations and these reminded me of how good and appropriate times like this can be. It reminded me that nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of thanks, praise, and encouragement.
There have been men and women who intersected their lives with mine along the years who helped shape my character, challenge my thinking, mentor my ambitions, and lift me up just at the right time. They have been teachers and coaches and pastors and friends. I can't remember any one of them who sought out that role in my life, rather we just rubbed up against one another and I came out better because of it. Luckily, I can name a couple still at my advanced age who fill the role of "encouraging counselor."
What we often fail to do is to carve out time to reflect on the impact they made in our life. These are the ones who cared enough to wade into your world and just wouldn't leave when you got all messy and less wonderful to be with. Let this brief message act as a reminder to remember those who walked with you, counseled you, lifted you up, cheered you on, held on tight, and let you loose.
Think of your 3am friends whom you can call if a need arises.
Consider who has bravely held up a mirror so you might see what others see that is less than the best in you.
Recall that mentor who modeled what a good road ahead might look like if you followed.
List those whom you relied on to sharpen you with their presence and words.
Please resist the undertow of thinking this through and even making notes of specific people then leaving it on your desk. If possible, seek them out with a visit or phone call or hand-written letter expressing the work of God through them and into your life. How often have we done our best and gotten no feedback? At those times a person might wonder if any of it made a difference to anyone. A word from you might be just the tonic another might love to receive.
On that rainy valley night in Corn Valley, Woodson quietly smiled while showered with grateful memories from a bunch of old ruggers. Tears rimmed eyes and hard hugs said more than words could convey. Late that night on the ride home I turned off the radio and ran through my mental rolodex of people who helped me grow in faith and life. It's time to get to calling and writing and visiting. Want to join me? Let's Go!
...and music for the week from the edges
how about a chuckle or two
A farmer and his recently-hired hand were eating an early breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, and coffee that the farmer's wife had prepared for them.
Thinking of all the work they had to get done that day, the farmer told the hired hand he might as well go ahead and eat his lunch too.
The hired hand didn't say a word but filled his plate a second time and proceeded to eat. After a while the farmer said, "We've got so much work to do today, you might as well eat your supper now, too."
Again the hired hand didn't respond but refilled his plate a third time and continued to eat. Finally, after eating his third plate of food, he pushed back in his chair and began to take off his boots.
"What are you doing? We have lots to get done!" said the farmer.
The hired hand replied, "Oh, I don't work after supper."
__________
A company owner was asked a question, "How do you motivate your employees to be so punctual?"
He smiled & replied, "It's simple. I have 30 employees and 29 free parking spaces. One is paid parking."