I started this travelog on the first LONG day of travelling and well I knew both that I would not finish it until now – and that the items of the early days were not worth complaining about – at all – even if I noticed them – and I knew the small hiccups would be replaced by the great big drink in of vacation and blessings and thankfulness… 

Yes – so starting in an evening traveling overnight – landing at 8am – without sleep except maybe 2 hours of napping on and off, it’s weird – a little…  And traveling is a whole culture – especially for business people and the airline folks – and even the workers on the ground and in the trains, but I am blessed to understand both the benefits and the hiccups of air travels and ground transport and life in general. I’m blessed to survive and THRIVE.  (PS this blog is not just about travel but about life)

I felt incredible PEACE that I was supposed to be here, multiple cities and adventures. In addition, I knew that I WANTED to be here. And I appreciate the Sarah Boynton cartoon depiction of a cat holding a candle saying “Offer whatever light you can” (probably written just after 9-11) and to know the Spirit cajoling of SHINE the Light wherever you can. I took a printout of this with me – kept it nearby to remember – to SHINE THE LIGHT. OFFER HOPE and JOY and PRAYER and EVERYTHING…

And for day 1-2, I came early to Europe so that I would be set right soon. And what a marvelous time that was – seeing great friends from our college days – where we stayed in touch over the years – yeah 35 years – amazing…)

It was a JOY to be there (be here, as I am editing this what I wrote 10 days ago)!!! Travelling and seeing sights, time with good friends and family on the horizon… New people to meet, experiences to understand…

The broken parts of this early part of the travel for this blog are going to be minimal surely when this trip is over but worth typing about for understanding that we notice the brokenness and then decide to fix or ignore or live with – and I am not JUST talking about travelling but about life.

1. Broken was the TV screen on my plane seat (it was ok I had my kindle movies downloaded, actually probably better entertainment that I wanted to catch up with – David Letterman interviews – and then I had Groundhog Day downloaded – and over and over I have seen it – like he does over and over on one day – love Bill Murray). 

2. Broken (or weird) was the low heat in my first room (it’s OK they gave me a cool space heater).

3. Broken was the little plant needing water and light for the little jar of Oxalis shamrocks to perk up – I have these at home and not only does it need regular water – it needs the light to open up and each night it closes its leaves down. So, no worries it was OK, as the hostess said she would water it after her shift (and funny how I mentioned the plant to my friend (also a plant-geek like me) and he said that when he had breakfast that he noticed the oxalis and it was well watered! haha – he must have sat at the same table I was at – and noticed the watering – I am glad to have had that insight – that someone noticed – but we don’t always have to know when we do something and it helps others – our job is just to keep helping), and I did go down later and saw them all (the plants from the tables) sitting in the windowsill. Now knowing the tall building these probably don’t get much light but they got SOME. They will survive just like we will – even a little light is OK, right?

4. Not broken but me being picky of having just the boiled not soft or scrambled eggs that first morning of hotel breakfast (well maybe that was better to have cooked fully on the first day while travelling) – and in hindsight knowing those eggs were there was a Godsend on the last day I was in Vienna and back to the same hotel, as I took a couple eggs in the plastic bag that the hostess gave me for the road as I was rushing to catch an early train – I sat with the bag and my thankfulness on the train.), 

5. and the broken world… The brokenness of the world is paramount and noticeable and the reason we NEED to shine the light. The rest is just fluff. And I am part of the brokenness fluff and realness too… And so even being part of the brokenness, we are to shine the Light – be the Light and the Salt – be whatever help we can be. Be part of the healing.

There are a THOUSAND POSITIVES, and I just wanted to mention these slight negatives of travel BECAUSE THESE ARE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, and were certainly nothing that I didn’t survive and that we don’t normally NOT worry about. Don’t worry. The noticeably needed truth is, in all cases, the LIGHT of the situations is what is needed – We are to SHINE THE LIGHT.  Just like the Christmas decorations that were still up the days after epiphany, being LIGHTS, the blessed hope of the Light of the Lord is TRUE, and shareable. And we need to share it.

If we have had any healing at all of brokenness in our lives, may we realize it was and IS the Lord Whom heals us –  may we realize that we survived – not just silly annoying things like in travel – but the BIG life things – that God has been there consistently when we turned to Him. Maybe we also give some GRACE to the situations that we are in – trivial and life-altering – because GRACE is what God gives to this world and MERCY too. We can do that – give some forgiveness and keep moving.

Now before I packed and hit the train, I watered my little plant – I didn’t have time to go water all those plants, but at least I watered mine.  We’ll, maybe just we can be LIGHT in small segments – and certainly cover our own oopses too.

Next adventure day awaits – keep shining the light! 

PS – I couldn’t help but notice more Oxalis shamrocks in the next city – at their breakfast too (and trust me these great included breakfasts are so fabulous – and the hotel prices are fabulous)…  I smiled when I saw the well watered and opened Oxalis at this next place – smiling like it LIKED the Light.  Me too…

SHINE THE LIGHT!

AMEN

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV Salt and Light – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”