Con-Trails and Random Thoughts

It's a beautiful day here in the Big A. Lots of blue sky, mild temperatures, and several hot air balloons floating around. It all makes for a beautiful scene, especially with the Alpes in the background.

You know, after spending over 5 months here I have noticed that the skies over Albertville seem to always be filled with the con-trails of passenger jets. I have counted upwards of 8 or 10 in the sky at any one time. In fact, right now, I can look out our window and see the characteristic white line being drawn accross the sky by a jumbo jet speeding to its destination. I wonder what the people on the plane are doing and thinking right now? I wonder if I know any of them or if I'll one day run into one or two. Of course, there's really no way to know the answer to any of those questions but it does bring up a good point.... We never know who our paths will cross with those of other people. People we may or may not know. People with whom we may or may not share common experiences, world views, or religions. But, no matter how many of those things we do, or don't, have in common we all have a responsibility to leave those people better off for having spent some time with us than they would have been if our paths had never crossed.

That was essentially Jesus' message to those that heard him tell the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10. I think we all want to be "Good Samaritans" but we often don't have the will to follow through.

As we've lived here in France I have come to really appreciate those "Good Samaritans" who have gone out of their way to help us. They've made us feel special and have really shown us God's love. I think we all have a better understanding of Jesus' story in Luke. We certainly have lived it from the perspective of the bruised and beaten man. And, now that we have our legs under us (as it were) we can take advantage of the opportunities we have to be "Good Samaritans" to others and with no strings attached.

Let's all strive to touch other people's lives in a meaningful way this week.

Thinking of all of you.

sf