Surprise Ending.

The final movie credits start to roll. The room fills with the sound of restlessness as those around me stir for the first time in two hours. We’ve just watched a movie about the unknown hero’s who tried to stop Adolf Hitler but failed. I’m one of those moviegoers who like to get out of the theater when the show is over. I don’t sit and watch the credits or wait for the lines to subside. I want out. As I head up the stairs to go back down my eyes meet those of an older gentleman who obviously had something to say to me.  Our gaze connected, paused and then he opened his mouth to say something I hear a lot these days. He said, “Rick, thanks for trying”. He was referring to my recent attempt at politics. I’ve heard these same words before but this time they caused my heart to sink for a second. I don’t know why but I could feel saltwater pooling along the edges of my eye sockets as the words hit their mark. Why was this comment, that look and the way it was delivered causing this sort of involuntary reaction, now?

As this journey moves from the public eye to a much more lonely walk, I feel the missing puzzle pieces starting to come together.

I did the right thing.

I did it the right way.

I did it for the right reasons.

And people see that.

God speaks to each of us in different ways. There are times when a poem opens a window that’s been closed a long time. For me a song can always bring clarity to a situation. A good movie or a book can also speak volumes to my soul.

Last night God used a stranger, a glance and the simplest few words to tell me I’m on the right path. A simple “Thank you” was all it took.