On the way out to my parent's house there's this old defunct radio tower. It's probably been out of service and use for over 20 years now, and the trees and weeds have started to overtake the building.
I remember about 15 years ago, there were rumors that they were finally going to tear it down. I didn't think much of it at the time, but I remember my grandpa having a strong reaction. Turns out it was a something of a landmark for him. My grandparents didn't come to visit us very often, but when they did, that radio tower was how they knew which gravel road led to our house.
Of course there were road signs, and in more recent years GPS on even the most basic phone, but for my grandpa that radio tower was a sure sign they were going the right direction.
I understand a little of how my grandpa felt now. A sense of certainty is so elusive! Am I making the right choices? Am I following the map ok? Am I succeeding or failing at parenting? Am I making art that's meaningful? Am I writing songs that reach people where they are? There are no letter grades for these subjects, and I feel so unprepared for this sense of uncertainty that accompanies adulthood.
That's why I'm so thankful for the people in my life who serve as landmarks for me. The people who give me honest feedback. The people who relentlessly encourage me. The people who hold back that overwhelming sense of uncertainty, if just for a moment, to say "you're doing great...keep it up!"
Who do you have in your life that's doing that for you? Who are you serving as a radio tower for? Maybe I can step into the gap for just a moment today, to whoever is reading this.
You're doing great. Keep it up!