Out of Place

I thought that a covered bridge was created to protect travelers who were attempting to cross a river in icy snowy winter conditions. This covered bridge was in Georgia. It seemed so out of place to me that I decided to take some pictures. I have been in places where I felt out of place. This summer as I was watching the young guys pass me on the trip up that vertical cliff at Acadia National Park, I knew they were thinking what in the world are you doing here and I was wondering the same. I was glad I made that climb but I did feel out of place. When I was ordained Bishop Johnson had a dinner for us at the Union Club on Beacon Hill in Boston. This is an exclusive club founded about the time of the Civil War for the wealthy and influential. Marsha and I felt so out of place and spent the night wondering what that money could have accomplished if put to another use. I would have to pretend big time to look comfortable in that environment. Marsha always made sure that I knew what to do with all the detailed silverware and dinnerware in a formal setting but that is not the same as being in exclusive surroundings. I think it is important to know yourself and to know here you fit in the scheme of things. When Marsha said that she was everyday china she meant that she knew who she was and where she fit and that it was OK. Aspirations are great and I would not discourage someone from seeking to learn and grow into a different arena of comfort if they feel that is meant for them, but in the end we need to be at home in our own skin in the place God created for us. I'm not out of place now.