This post is in honor of our good friend, John Daly, 1945-2025.  When needed, he was there, in service to country and family with a smile in his faithful heart.

For my hometown light-worker friends, Sandy and Carol, who tirelessly do whatever is needed. 

For Lauren, the strong, brave and amazing life force in her children's lives.

For Don who knows the value of sitting with a friend. 

And for you, my readers, who unceremoniously rise to the occasion.  You are the everyday heroes who go the distance, "chopping the wood" and "carrying water" in a world where there is so much thirst.

Going the Distance

There is an ancient saying that captures the essence of going the distance, doing the everyday ordinary things with intention and purpose, as did John, and as do you, my friends and neighbors.  
You are God's worker bees.

Chop Wood. Carry Water

We are not here to see through each other.  
We are here to see-each-other-through life's heavy loads.
  ----Anne Lamott

"Sometimes", said Pooh, "The smallest things take up space in my heart."
----A.A. Milne

 . . . Small and seemingly inconsequential, I notice countless snails on my morning walk. They trudge along slowly, unnoticed and methodically carrying their heavy loads.  

This one in particular on its climb up a screen door, captured my attention.

As quick as a prayer I knew why I stopped to consider this one. With an extra-large shell, it reminded me of my friends who are tasked with heavy burdens.  Their journey feels like a long upward climb, and they know every step counts.

I considered replacing the above grey photo with an AI- generated, colorful one.  But no.  Like my courageous friends, this one carries its load alone, without a spotlight, without fanfare, one step at a time, going the distance.

Direction is more important than speed.

Carrying Water: Drawing up fulfillment from deep ancient waters, wells of renewal that nourishes others and in turn, ourselves.

Chopping Wood: And in every chore, leave a little room for a grateful heart.

You don't need a plan; you just need a purpose and show up. 
 (Bob Goff)

"God made me to be helpful."  (Lucas Lepore, age 6)

When he was just a young boy, Lucas, my grandson, surprised me with this announcement. It came out of nowhere with no particular reference to what we were doing. And indeed, this notion of helping others is manifested every day of his young life.  Now a middle-school preteen, his teachers and coaches comment about his helpful nature. I love that he is cognizant of having a purpose.

The two most important days in life are: 
 The day you were born, 
And the day you find out why.
  – Mark Twain

Whatever good things we build in others, purposefully ends up building us.
----Jim Rohn 

Planting Purpose

If my feet cannot go very far,
Then I will extend my branches.
If my limbs are not steady,
Then I will lift up in a prayer.
And in my numbered days,
When body and breath part ways,
Be grounded in the gladness
Of gentle breezes 
and soft rays
Whispering your name.
----g. hill

We are like drops of water on a rock, drip, dripping away, leaving our mark in people's hearts.
               ~ Rigoberta Menchu

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them.
                        – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
                           – Galatians 6:2

See also: The Message in the Window, Sing Me Your Hymn, and You Out There

The Message in the Window

Sing Me Your Hymn

You, Out There . . .

All images are AI-generated and from Pixabay.com