ALONG FOR THE RIDE Thursday, March 3
Matthew 13:32: It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. My uncle passed away during the fall of 2020. Because of COVID, funeral plans were put on hold. Last May, funeral plans were finalized in Larimore, North Dakota. At that time, I was in a personal funk. I needed to get away, check out from work, and generally change my limited daily routine. I needed a road trip. More importantly, I needed no agenda and limited organization. In most instances, a 15-hour drive to North Dakota would not appeal to a 17-year-old in his senior year of high school. However, my 17-year-old, Miles, was game. Our plan was simple: drive north and drive east. We saw more Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota two-lane highways, farmland, and grain elevators than I have previously seen in my lifetime. It was not the most direct route, but it was the right route for our trip. Miles slept, chatted, played his music and was generally great company. His unassuming love was the perfect gift for the perfect time. He loved me by his willingness to jump in the car with me, by helping me celebrate a wonderful man, and through the care and understanding he showed my cousins, who lost their dad. Miles may not see this as a significant sacrifice and he may not have intended to demonstrate any specific love and care in his actions, but he did, and it meant the world to me. His company and his willingness to just be with me and my extended family was the love and example I needed at that time. He helped center me and recharged me, so that I could then follow his example and be there for others. Spend some time thinking about this passage: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24) Jon Reitan
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