There are two ways to travel, two different types of traveler.
One says, “Let’s just get there.” My dad was an expert on that method. It’s a simple, no-nonsense approach that works well: We get in the car, and get out when we get there. Period. We’ll eat when we get there, sleep when we get there, and we stop only out of (extreme) biological necessity or if a policeman insists.
The other traveler says, “Since we’re going there anyway, let’s enjoy the trip.” I prefer this latter approach (sorry, Dad). It’s a little more complex. It requires more time and a plan to stop for food (at a restaurant or roadside park) and rest, and may even include a happy detour to see something interesting or to reconnect with a friend.
Likewise, we can despise the distance and begrudge the time this virus thing is taking, because, well, time and distance quite literally separate us from good ol’ “normal.” Or we can celebrate the journey for taking us somewhere we need to be, and enjoy the sights and sounds and scenery along the way.
We can hate our quarantine as a horrible interruption to our life, or we can ask God to open our eyes. We may see things or people right around us whom we may have taken for granted. And maybe this is a gift of time to catch up on projects, books, phone calls, emails, or tasks we have forgotten or neglected.
We’ll explore this idea a little bit more tomorrow. For now, maybe we can bring ourselves to say, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will (choose to) rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) Maybe the trip won’t be so bad or seem so long.
“Father, you have ordained this day, and although it contains elements I would not have chosen, I take these as from your hand. Help me, in the presence of Jesus, to choose gratitude over grumbling. Amen”