On The Road (or There & Back Again)

Good morning, Dear Readers of the Daily Devo!  

(Or afternoon, evening, etc.)

It's been a while since I sat in front of my trusty computer and began writing to you all again.  I've missed you.  

It's strange to think of it like that because it's not like we're hanging out together, but I do feel a kinship with you, and as I write these short reflections each day, I think of you all as I do.  So I've missed these moments, even though I did enjoy the hiatus. 

My journey this past month took me nearly 5,800 miles and over a hundred hours on highways and back roads throughout the West and Northwest.  I traveled through Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and, of course, the great state of Texas. 

I spent about seven days camping, visited two national parks (Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon), drove through some of the most amazing scenery I've ever seen, and visited some great cities. 

I explored my former hometown of Denver, spent several days in Seattle, WA, and also got to walk the streets of Boise, ID, and Salt Lake City, UT.  

One night, while camping in Colorado, a bear passed by my tent, sniffing and pushing against the tent wall where I was lying.  I  thought I imagined it, but the guy camping beside me showed me a photo of it the following day.  

I saw herds of elk, countless deer, bison, antelope, hawks, eagles, innumerable birds, and little critters, including a little ground squirrel who shared my campsite with me for a few days.  

And I met people along the way---people from all over the U.S. and beyond.  I swapped stories with a tattoo artist and shared drinks and food with a chef in Seattle.  I hung out at a bar full of locals in Salt Lake City and got into a mosh pit with fellow metalheads in Boise. 

I also got to experience the front row of a country music stadium concert with some twenty-somethings from Washington, who cheered and high-fived me when I caught a drumstick tossed into the crowd.  

There were so many moments when I spent time with people in diners, coffee shops, hiking trails, gazing at natural wonders, and more. 

I will share some of these stories and my reflections over the next few days, but for now, I have this to say, and I feel like it's a timely thing we all need to hear: 

America is a great country.  It's beautiful, diverse, complicated, and wonderful.  

When you tune out the histrionics of the daily news and just experience the land and the people, taking it all as it comes to you, it's an incredible experience.  As Americans, we share far more in common than the things that divide us.  

Sure, there are some angry, embittered folks, but I've come to realize that this is a bipartisan way of being and acting. For the most part, everyone I met did their best to find joy, peace, and fulfillment and was happy to share their stories, food, and a drink or two, even with strangers. 

I also learned that if you are willing to try, you can always find something in common with the people you encounter through life's journeys.  Common ground is best seen when we hear one another's stories and share what brings us joy---apart from the things that always seem to divide. 

I feel like politicians and religious leaders are seemingly obsessed with spreading the notion that our country is hopelessly messed up, and of course, they are the only ones with the answers to all our problems. 

I may have donned some rose-colored glasses over many weeks, but I see things differently now.  For all that might be wrong in our country, there is far more wondrous and amazing.  

For my part, I want to choose hope. I also believe the best in us will eventually find its way to the light.  To quote a song from one of the musical artists I got the chance to see perform a couple of weeks ago:  

We're all in the same boat
Fishin' in the same hole
Wonderin' where the samе time goes, and money too
Tryin' to fix thе same broke hearts
Wishin' on the same stars
We're all hopin' hope floats
We're all in the same boat

May the unity found in the Spirit of God all around us and in us become the very air that we breathe and the desire of our hearts.  

May the strength of our diversity become a value to be cherished rather than something to be overcome.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.