Beach Haven

His name is John. The sign in the open guitar case where passers-by can drop him some cash gives him the title of Authentic Starving Artist. I see him most days on the sidewalk that runs along the wall marking the west boundary of Union Station in downtown Washington DC.

He plays and sings. His voice is a little gruff, but his fingers are very nimble. His repertoire consists mostly of popular rock tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s. For you younger readers, that’s music from a time before cell phones, video games, or the ‘net. Back then our year didn’t start with a two.

I generally drop a buck or two into his guitar case maybe once a week. I finally took a minute to chat with John. I mentioned how I’ve noticed he is out there playing his songs even in the harshest heat or cold. A grin came across his face. His reply, “I’m just crazy that way.” He told me it’s important for him to keep his fingers in good shape. He looks to me to be a man in his late 60s. When it’s cold I notice he wears knit gloves with the finger tips cut out so he can play.

He said, “People tell me I make them smile.” I agree. Every time I pass by him, as so many do every morning, my steps feel a little lighter for his music and dedication. I told him so. “Then my job is done,” he quipped with an open smile. It’s his version of an honest day’s work. His rewards are a few dollars cast into his guitar case, and the smile people give him as they walk to their own work.

We shook hands and bid good day. I went on my way to my work. I doubt anyone’s steps feel any lighter while I’m in the office doing my version of an honest day’s work.
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Last weekend about 10 Boy Scouts and 5 adult leaders from our church had a campout that culminated in a four-mile hike on Saturday. I would normally have been with them, but unfortunately I was traveling for work last weekend. The hike was at a nature reserve near our house called The Crow’s Nest.

Based on my experience and some debriefing with some of the adult leaders, the hike went something like this. They reached the trail-head by car. Then they all got out and checked that everyone had their gear, some water, and a little food for the trail. Next they opened up the topo maps and used a compass to figure out where they were and which of the various trails they were supposed to hike. Once they got all that out of the way then the head adult leader turned his face to the trail, said something like, “Let’s get going boys!” Then off they went down the trail.

Not long the head scout leader looked back. The 12- and 13-year-olds were headed more or less along the path, but were often swayed by nature’s distractions along the trail. “Oh! Look at that cool rock!” “Hey guys! There’s a funky looking mushroom!” At other times there was a line like, “I’m tired. I need to take a break. Can we stop?” Still another would say something like, “This is boring. I want to go home.” The other adult leaders would walk alongside the boys at different intervals and encourage them. Sometimes they might tease the boys, or cajole them, or commiserate. Other times they’d joke along with them. These adults made it easier for the main leader to concentrate on making sure the group as a whole didn’t get misdirected when different trails diverged from the path of choice.

How this is like us. We arrive at the trail-head when we join the church at baptism. We are given our map (the scriptures) to understand where we are and where we need to go to follow the path to our ultimate destination. The path is clear enough. The leader (the Savior) steps out in front and leads the way. As we walk, the Holy Ghost walks alongside us encouraging us to keep moving and get back on the path whenever we stray. We are distracted by the things of the world and occasionally wonder off the path and need to repent. These wanderings could represent sins of commission. Sometimes we tire of doing good and want to take a rest. This could be like sins of omission. Still Christ is ahead and calls us to keep moving. The Comforter is beside us and offers us encouragement.

​As the hike goes on, slowly but surely the Scouts become ever more focused on the path, especially on the return portion of the hike as they become more fixated on finishing the trek and getting home. We too get more and more likely to stay on the way as we learn from our mistakes from straying off the path. Like a funnel we continue in the right direction in general, but our trajectory narrows as we progress.

Eventually the boys arrived safely back at the trail-head where a warm car was awaiting them to return home to their parents and a nice warm home. As we work to be ever more true to the path the Savior leads us on, we too will more steadily approach our heavenly parents and home.