Psalm 16:7-11 
The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake 
is confirmed by my sleeping heart. 
Day and night I’ll stick with God; 
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. 

I’m happy from the inside out, 
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. 
You canceled my ticket to hell— 
that’s not my destination! 

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, 
all radiant from the shining of your face. 
Ever since you took my hand, 
I’m on the right way. (MSG)

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The Big Airport was busy yesterday. The next airport was back to its normal hustling self. Stepping off the jetway into the terminal with its crashing waves of important people on the way to do important stuff, I couldn’t help but remember when I stepped into this space to discover I was virtually alone. I took a photo showing the length of the terminal without a single person in the frame. COVID cleared the space rather efficiently. 

It’s back to the busy, important airport this morning for another glorious glide south to see the older of our two granddaughters and her parents. I can’t wait to see the Curly Kid. She will bubble over with information and questions, the first of which will be, “Where’s Grandma?”

Soon enough, her parents will toddle off to their event leaving CK, Tucker, the Wonder Dog, and me to enjoy fun food and a movie before bedtime. Then we will pick up Grandma tomorrow for a weekend to give thanks and memories to make. 

Eugene Peterson says it well: “I’m happy from the inside out.”

God’s path placed me in close proximity with interesting people yesterday and last night. He continually places me among people who turn deep thinking into consequential policy and performance. John Maxwell’s dad loved to tell the story about a mule that was entered in the Kentucky Derby. The owner knew he didn’t have a chance to win, but he felt the association would do him some good. I am the mule quite often. 

Today’s journey will take me out with the crowds. There will be the same ol’ same ol’, and the oddly out of place. There will be those with nerves of steel and those whose hearts pound with anxiety. There will be the hurried and the delayed. There will be those who loathe the whole experience and those who take joy in the journey. Count me among the latter. 

Yesterday morning’s ride to the airport placed me in a car with a refugee from a hard place in the world. A group of people we hear about in the news who have caused so much death and destruction would have killed this man, his wife, and their seven children if they had remained where they were. They came to the USA in search of safety.

This man was wealthy in his home country. He owned a business. He had a good life. Now he drives people around the Metroplex to keep food on the table. His kids excel in school. They are among the top students in their classes. We started a conversation we plan to continue when I return home. 

My new friend poured out his life story when I asked how to pronounce his name and then inquired what it means. It means Honorably Intelligent. That’s a name to live up to. That’s a name he employs to give his family a better life. That’s a name that helps build a better world. 

Like King David in this psalm, my new friend is on the right path. 

We meet the most interesting people when we’re on the right path. 

Which path are you on?

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I will walk the path God lays out before me.

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Our Father, direct my steps today. Keep me on the right path. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Amen.