Some people are energized by the thought of traveling the globe, loving adventure, change, unusual food, and new friends. Then there’s the rest of us.
A homebody through and through, I find traveling stressful, but add an infant, and the challenge looms large. Although Emerald is a model baby, she, too, has her limits, and boarding a plane at 7:00 pm last night was a plan to which she objected.
As she screamed full-tilt midway through our flight from Orlando to Chiccago, we apologized to nearby passengers, but 4 month old babies don’t “get” bribery, and delayed gratification doesn’t exist. She tested our limits before finally falling into an exhausted, twitchy sleep. By that time we were twitchy, too. Birgitta said, “Was that 4 minutes or 14? It seemed like an eternity.”
Agreed.
Little babies love “bland.” They do best following a simple, repeated routine at home with the same sights, smells, people, and procedures each day. I can relate. But for babies and adults alike, if we want to spend time with the people we love and arrive at the destinations where they are, traveling is a must.
Something similar happens in the spiritual realm. From birth to death, all of us are travelers, like it or not. Each day pushes (or drags) us forward, which includes squaring off with new experiences on a steady basis. We can go with hissy-fits as Emerald did last night, or we can move with a sense of excitement for one reason: it’s God who has set the itinerary.
Even knowing that, though, for some of us it’s still difficult. Stops along the way can be scary or painful, and it’s easier to snuggle into the familiar, which doesn’t involve taking chances or flirting with failure. But the pivot-point of signing on to follow God is that he’s God, the best of all travel guides.
To blindly follow anyone else would be foolish, but because the person asking us to trust his sense of direction and choice of destination is the All-knowing One, we can travel with him despite not having a complete understanding of where we’re going or what will happen when we get there.
Emerald’s screaming didn’t get her off last night’s flight, but today she’s been her usual agreeable self and is, I believe, aware of being back home in familiar surroundings.
It encourages me to know God has plans for all of us to stop traveling one day and become homebodies, living together with him in the place he’s currently making ready for us. Just as Birgitta and I knew that Emerald’s destination last night was the home she loves, God sees our future home and is sure we’ll love that one, too.
So, despite the uncertainties of his itinerary, I do want to travel this life partnered with God, And I’m going to make a real effort not to have too many hissy-fits along the way.
“The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” (Psalm 121:8)
Welcome back from your travels!
Your words are always insightful and speak to me daily. As I stand on the edge of leaving teaching, another surprising change in a year of big change, I do feel pretty “not at home.” I’ve been getting up for school in August for 50 years, and I’m kind of institutionalized, if you will. And I don’t remember life before becoming a mom, and that role has changed, too. I heard this song on Moody this morning by Casting Crowns, “You’re Already There” and it, along with your blog, speaks to me. I am writing a Bible study on the “I AM’s” of Jesus, and when I think of the bread of life, the manna, it literally means, “what is it?” As I ask Him to move me from theological to personal experience, I think He asks us to eat mystery, to trust Him daily.
Anyways, here’s the lyrics to that song in the hopes that it provides encouragement to others who are wondering where life is leading. I don’t know how anyone does this life without the Lord.
“From where I’m standing
Lord, it’s so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You’re leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are going to play out
In a world I can’t control
When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
‘Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there
From where You’re standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan
When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
I can’t wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit
One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
‘Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
‘Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there.”
Love,
Terry
We are in the Orlando area right now….that would have been funny if we would have seen each other here. Glad Emerald is enjoying being home!
I just love your devotionals! They are always so timely and applicable. The comment from reader Terry Davis also brought tears to me eyes because I can so relate right now in my own life.
So good to see the three of you…..Emerald is such an adorable bably. Traveling with babies is not the most pleasant experience in the world, but at least you were able to come and now you’re safely home…..!! In spite of sick kids, cool weather, I know Linni and Adam loved having you here…!
Enjoy your day as it comes and know how very blessed you are! Good blog!
Love you