Currently Listening to: “Any Way You Want It” by Journey
Currently Enjoying: Venti Starbucks House Blend and Airline Peanuts from Delta
Well, I made it to the first stop of my three-city tour of America. Not really, but to get to Denver I have to go through Atlanta and Salt Lake City. The flight also went as expected. I got to read my magazines (Entertainment Weekly and Sojourners) for the last time, as they will be on hold during the summer. I was struck while reading an Usher article. In it, Usher says, “[Y]ou have to be very careful what you allow your kids to be around or see. I’m a product of the environment.” He says this after his party days as Sean “P-Diddy” Combs’ protégé. What does this mean for parents? I wonder did my parents do a good enough job protecting me from our environment? I think so. I assume they would agree. First, they protected as much as they could and as I became older, the leash they held once so closely was loosened then let go of eventually. But enough blabbing about the past, you may (or may not) be wondering what happened during flight. My chair-mate or neighbor Kay Haas (she didn’t tell me her name, but her boarding pass did. Hope you don’t find this Kay!) slept most of the way there.
Getting the window seat, I actually got to see how beautiful Appleton is from above. Soaring into the clouds, I was amazed as how small everything was getting. We are so small in size, yet it puts things into perspective. I’m sure you’ve heard all this before, but I don’t care, it’s true. Our tiny problems in the city of Appleton in Wisconsin in the United States in North America doesn’t match anything near the worldwide pain of natural disasters, mass poverty, hunger, and AIDS spreading rapidly in our world. I guess what I am trying to say that I panic and fear can consume me about the smallest things like paint coming off my car or having someone bring me to the airport. Small children get up in the morning and worry whether they will eat anything, drink clean water, or even if this is their last day alive. So let me get up on my soapbox and encourage you readers out there to really think and act. If you don’t think this is a problem – you’re not living in the real world. Get out of your cultural bubble and safe zone and learn what is happening in this world and even in your community. I also encourage you to act by getting involved with some great organizations or your church (if they are involved in any way to the community). Some great websites to check out are Compassion (http://www.compassion.org) and WorldVision (http://www.worldvision.com) to sponsor a child and to make a difference in their lives forever. Also visit these great sites to learn about social justice: Sojourners (http://www.sojo.net) and One (http://www.one.org) are great starting points. Sojourners is a Christian non-profit organization founded by the great Jim Wallis (author of God’s Politics and The Great Awakening). One is committed to raising awareness and funding to relieve global poverty. Both sites are able to email updates about current events and things like signing petitions to the federal government (the Prez, Senate, and House, etc.) Now I can come off my soapbox with a good feeling.
Back in the Atlanta airport, people may think I am a rock star. I sure don’t have the look down, but carrying this guitar on my back looks ridiculously awesome. I can tell people are talking in whispers as I pass them by. I have to admit, I do look pretty cool. The laptop bag and guitar do get pretty heavy though. I decided to walk to my concourse instead take the train there. I opted for the six (!) moving escalators and found out fast why hardly anybody walks almost the entire length of the Atlanta airport. It’s like a 5K (not really, but a mini-marathon seemed to exaggerate this length too much)! I’m at one these “ReCharge” stations located by all the gates, and this 4 year old girl on a leash keeps staring at me and peering into my station. Not a problem – just a bit weird. The mom finally scolds her and takes her away from the “guitar man.” If that were my new nickname, she would probably change it as soon as I started playing. Really, I’m not that good, but good enough to lead 60+ students and adults in songs. Another thing I like about the airport is there are so many different kinds of people here waiting for someone. Military personnel finally going home, families going to Aruba, lovers awaiting that honeymoon, businesspeople busily finishing those TPS reports before going executive class, people who literally connected to their phones at all times (they thank you Bluetooth!), slow-moving people, fast-moving people, runners, walkers, and people who just refuse to get out of the way of a giant moving vehicle with flashing lights and a loud beeper. Airports have them all. I don’t want to get preachy, but this is a reminder of people from all over who all need Jesus equally. This can also represent how different people are and the much-needed relationships everyone desires.
Well, time to freshen up the coffee and head to the gate. Plane leaves in a half hour. I’m Salt Lake City bound!
Finished while listening to “Rock of Ages” by Def Leppard
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