Long Journeys

Maria is finally home from the hospital and is now beginning her period of recuperation. She has a long journey in front of her (6-12 weeks) before she can make a full recovery and begin to share in the fullness of life. Her doctors are confident of a full recovery. Her journey toward health begins today - her first full day at home.
Joel and Shafali should have arrived in Liverpool, England by now. It is a long journey (some 12-15 hours anticipated) from Chicago to Dublin, Ireland and from Dublin to Liverpool. They had purchased a new laptop computer to take with them. They could do some writing and watch some movies on their long journey.
Today, Joanie and I will begin the long journey back to California (it is about 34 hours). After 4 months on Sabbatical we will be returning home. I don't know how many days it will take, but once we are on the road, anxiousness sets in and we want to get to our destination as soon as we can. It will be a good few days to release the emotions of the last week.
Long journeys. They are full of anticipation and uncertainty. They give you time to think about what is ahead (not always a good thing, I fear). They allow you time to look around and see what surrounds you. People and friends are surrounding Maria and Jonathan; new adventures, cultures, and people will be surrounding Joel and Shafali; and miles of this great country and old friends and a great church surround Joanie and I as we go home. But in all of this and in everything we face we are surrounded by two sometimes unseen things.
Hebrews says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone on before us. I take comfort in that. The people who have held great influence on our lives are still cheering us on from the heavenly realms. And we are surrounded by the gracious presence of the Holy Spirit. No miles can separate and no experience can drive a wedge through those who are held together by the loving will of God's Holy Spirit. So, the Long Journey begins. And, thank God, we are not alone.