Driving across the beach at McConaughy is not for the faint hearted or two-wheel drive vehicle. The sand is fine, powdery and has been compared to the sand in Hawaii. But, it is deep in places. Driving in 4L is a must unless one would like to be pulled to safety by the tractor that’s always on duty.
At one moment, the sand was deep, the engine was revved high, and the movement was minimal. Slowly turning the wheels back and forth gained extra traction and persistence prevailed. The truck did not fall to the fate of so many that we have witnessed. It was not necessary to call the tractor as we emerged from the sand to the gravel road under our own power.
Sometimes life can feel like that journey across the sand. I can get bogged down with social media posts about banning books for junior high and high schoolers, people’s opinion about the Impact Center and the left-, right-, college loan forgiveness, marxists-debate about the state of the country. It can feel like movement forward through these issues is minimal.
Relationships can also be hard to navigate. Communication and growth can require energy to be revved high. Yet, when friends and partners are willing to wiggle a little, traction can be gained in moving forward together. The exhilaration of pushing through the hard stuff to reach the firm surface of deeper understanding and connection on the other side makes it all worth it.
Work environments often require persistence when working through those deeper ruts. It is not for the faint-hearted to be part of a team that is fully human with good intentions, blind spots, shortcomings and flaws. It takes turning on 4L to stay grounded and intentional about keeping all the moving parts working together for the common good. Forgiveness and believing the best is the only path that allows the team to emerge stronger.
No matter what is bogging me down, there is always an opportunity to ask for help. The tractor is nearby and ready to assist, just like my friends, family and colleagues. Its power and strength is greater than mine, just like my faith in God and my connection to community. Whether under my own power or with the help of a power greater than myself, I don’t have to fall to the fate of being stuck.