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I’ve been reading two books on this trip to the East Coast. One is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. That book changed my life when I was a teenager. It taught me how to really connect with people. The other is With by Skye Jethani, which explores how our relationship with God isn’t just about needing things from Him or doing things for Him but it’s about simply being with Him. That really resonated with me, because that’s exactly what I hoped this trip would be about.

Carnegie talks about how we should smile and be genuinely interested in people. That’s what dogs do, and we love them for it! So I tried that. Everywhere I went, I smiled and made an effort to really care about the people I met. And it was amazing. People opened up, helped me, and shared their stories. It was like making instant friends wherever I went. It happened too many times to be a coincidence.

I met great people at the hotel, on the trail, at campsites, the Appalachian Trail headquarters, and even at the college pub where I met an old friend. I felt a little odd being back there, but once they found out we were alumni, they let us skip the line, gave us a table, called us “sir,” and treated us with honor. Even with the college students there, I just smiled and showed interest in them and we had a great time talking.

Through it all, I felt like God was with me. From the start, I committed to smiling, being thankful, and being genuinely interested in Him. I’d ask, “What would God enjoy today?” And I tried to do that. And over and over again, God showed up.

Though there were torrential downpours all across New England, somehow I missed the rain at every stop. Travel decisions just seemed to fall into place. More than once, if I’d been five minutes later, things could’ve gone wrong, but instead, everything worked out.

Family interactions that had been tense just weeks ago felt stress-free and surprisingly normal. And with my old college friend, who’s never been a Christian, we ended up sharing sins we’d each kept hidden for 40 years. We laughed, cried, hugged, and walked away feeling free.

I also spent some time with my mom. She needed to find a new place to live in just two weeks, after months of looking with no success. We saw one on a Friday and she got it by Monday. She also has chronic arthritis and needs a hip replacement, but they won’t do it because of her age. I took her to a CBD store while I was there, and now she’s feeling better and hopeful again.

As I was flying home, I saw God at work again. My mom had given me a large painting that my dad had someone paint of her when she was just 18. It means a lot to both her and to me. I wasn’t sure the airline would let me carry it on, but when I checked in, the clerk said, “Just smile and be nice to the flight attendant.” So I did. Not only did they let me bring it on board, they gave me business class seating, free food and drinks, and preferred boarding.

The whole trip, I never felt alone. I was by myself, but God felt closer than ever. I think it might have been the best trip of my life. I got choked up more than once because I was overwhelmed by how much God kept showing up. From the beautiful scenery to the timing of conversations to the little signs and insights along the way, my journal is overflowing. I’m just so grateful to be with Him.

I’m realizing more and more that when we genuinely care about God and about others, He meets us in that space.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17