Three small, painted rocks, all in a row, positioned atop a sitting-size, big rock greet hikers and bikers at the entrance to a nearby trail. One rock proclaims “Hope.” A second spells out a seeming paradox.
A rockin’ message about what would be, at first glance, an apparent incongruity.
Until I left the trail and saw within an hour—
TWO incongruities
A set of workmen clambering over 
gray tiles on a steeply pitched roof. With no safety net, at least 25 feet in the air. In order that a family they’ve never met would have a solid roof over their abode.
and
A masked employee 
lifting the trunk lid of a stranger’s car to deliver bags of groceries. In order to help protect the older driver against any rogue coronavirus roaming inside the store.
It’s easy to overlook the myriad of angels in our lives who lift us up. Right in front of us. Every day. Neighbors, friends, family. Paid and unpaid. Without whose sometimes heavy lifting it would be dangerous or difficult or downright lonely to keep on going.
Early on, 
we begin riding on someone else’s shoulders.
Then, 
progressing up life’s road, we follow in the footsteps of those we trust to lead us.
Incongruous, too
One of my most favorite-ever writers, Brian Doyle (d. 2017), in his essay “Cool Things,” penned the following statement–
“In short, I believe in believing, which doesn’t make sense, which gives me hope.”
“We rise by lifting others up” is a fulfilment of the Gospel about love of neighbor.
What beautiful thoughts….to see where we can meet God in all that is around us… only if we are aware and notice!
Nice sentiments!