Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Making all things new...

God has a good habit of making all things new. I take advantage of this all the time. When given a fresh wind to blast out the cobwebs I face it and enjoy the thrill of it all. I'm just back from a week on the east coast of America - it felt a bit like that. January had been full of all kinds of strain and uncertainty and a change was what was needed to give my weary self a rest.

It's funny how traveling far away, but doing the same kinds of things can give you a break from yourself - or perhaps reconnect the broken bits. While I was away I spent time with friends, attended classes and did some photography. All things I would usually do at home. But I was doing these with a sense of purpose. Taking time to soak up what was going on and enjoy the chance to rest when it came my way.

I met old friends, acquaintances from Scotland and made some new friends too. A common interest can really provide a strong connection to someone you just met. When God's your connection - anything can happen (if you let it).

Walking the streets of Princeton I found the space to breathe.
Walking the streets of New York I got excited again.
Walking the streets of Washington I felt at home.
Walking the Mound in Edinburgh I felt ready to be home.

Traveling is like stepping in and out of the wardrobe to Narnia. The other world seems just beyond your reach when you're not actually in it. You miss things when you're not there, but you gain other things. My concept of heaven is that all those places and people are joined up. You don't have to be without something in order to have another. Not a "having it all" in the material sense, but a sense of peace about not being apart from the people you love.

Meeting up with old friends is like a little piece of heaven. When you have those real moments of connection, the brokenness is held with someone else and the scars fade a little. Everything is made new.