By Isaiah Core

The Texas state motto is “Friendship” and was adopted in 1930 by the legislature. The word Texas is derived from the Caddo word “Tejas” meaning friend or ally. In our modern world you may be inclined to look negatively at our state government, culture, political atmosphere, and even local governments. The internet is no help because you can find or make videos which back up your own pre-conceived ideas tearing down the people around you. So, how can we move our city, county, and state to a place where we reflect positively the sentiment behind our state motto? Well just like a journey of a 1.000 miles, it starts with one step.

In the last 6 years, I’ve been a student of Christian Mysticism, and during this time, I came across the definition of a Spiritual Practice by Dr. James Finley. Dr. Finley says that a Spiritual Practice is “any act habitually entered into with your whole heart as a way of awakening, deepening, or sustaining a contemplative experience of the inherent holiness of the present moment.” So going for a leisurely walk with no purpose in mind would be a Spiritual Practice. Other non-conventional activities like baking, gardening, even driving long distances in silence, can all be a Spiritual Practice. 

Last week, as school returned to session, my daughter and I began our morning pre-school activities. We fortunately live within walking distance of her school. Therefore, since Kindergarten, I’ve had the joy of walking her to school as long as the weather and temperature cooperate until Thanksgiving, and then picking back up around Spring Break when it turns warm again. I am intentional about this time with her. We talk about whatever she wants to talk about. We look out for stray kitties sunning themselves in the morning cool. About 5 years ago, I began a new practice of trying to wave at every passing car as I make my way home after drop off. 

About 4 years ago, on my walk home, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that this simple act of waving is a Spiritual Practice. My intent to spread that Good Ol’ Texas hospitality to students, parents, and teachers arriving to the school is spreading the Gospel in the same way a church service does. And, it grew a few years ago, when I began meeting a few young men and women waiting for the bus. I tried to consistently say “Howdy!” although at the first of the year, they were appropriately hesitant. By the end of the school year, we were connecting with each other like passing neighbors do. As were the handful of retirees and fellow morning neighborhood walkers. I began noticing that since we are all steeped in the friendly tradition of returning a wave or “Howdy!” that more often than not, I got some sort of a response from everyone, even those in cars driving to school. Maybe that’s just people being neighborly. But maybe I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life. In West Texas, it is easy to say that you have a faith in Christ, but how are you sharing the Gospel? I invite you all to take an opportunity to think about your daily travels to or from work, school, and home. How can you make this world just a little bit better? A smile and wave will very rarely hurt someone, but almost always gets a wave or smile in return. 

Isaiah is currently studying to become a Commissioned Ruling Elder in the Palo Duro Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He and his brother Daniel are third generation owners of Instrument Maintenance Co., Inc. headquartered in Abilene.