Good Ones

I'll help someone in time of need,
And journey on with rapid speed;
I'll help the sick and poor and weak,
And words of kindness to them speak.

That's a verse from A Beautiful Life, a bluegrass gospel quartet standard. The song talks about using the time we've been given (Life's evening sun is sinking low; a few more days and I must go) to help others. In a day when the news is filled with celebrities, politicians and athletes who crave our attention, it sometimes slips by us that the world is filled with good people who are living A Beautiful Life.

These are the good ones. They have developed themselves into the best that they can be at what they do. Then they found a balance. They also take what they've learned and what they've become and share it with others so that they too can become the best they can be.

Running in musical circles, opportunities abound to meet all kinds of folk. However, if you look around the right corners and stand on the right thresholds, you get to meet some of the good ones.

I met the pastor of a new church outside of Houston a few years back when his church was just getting started. In addition to being called into ministry, he was a professional musician, talented guitarist, and gifted songwriter. This summer some youth from the church I attend now went on a mission trip to work at this pastor's church. The group included a couple of young fellows who were learning to play guitar.

During the time of the trip, the church was having a benefit concert. As the story was related to me, the pastor was setting up the stage and getting his sound check. At one point he turned to one of the young players in our group and asked him to come up and play so he could listen. Afterwards, this extremely gifted pastor complimented the younger man's playing and started sharing tips and tricks to help him be a better player. A sound check turned into a mini-clinic while talent and experience were shared rather than hoarded. That's one of the good ones. That's a beautiful life.

Here's my thanks for all of the good ones that have blessed my life, along with my hope and prayer that I can make some flowers bloom.

While traveling down life's weary road
I'll try to lift some traveller's load
I'll try to turn the night to day
Make flowers bloom along the way