One of our favorite books is by Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! The first page says, “You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” We have had the privilege of being off and away to many great places and, Lord willing, we are hoping for more. Our travels usually fit into one of three main categories: overnight get-a-ways (e.g., Shipshewana), road trips (e.g., Route 66), and cruises (anywhere).
Last week’s get-a-way was to Shipshewana, Indiana where we stayed at the Blue Gate Inn. It is one of our favorites, with great breakfasts that include omelets to order and a full buffet. The hotel is next to the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center where we enjoyed a Mark Lowery concert.
This week I am thinking about and continuing to plan possible future travels. We make these plans tentatively and hang on to them loosely. I have as much fun planning as I do with the experiences themselves. So, if a trip does not work, it is okay because we have enjoyed the planning.
There are expressions or maxims related to travel that we have discovered over the years. For example, on a past cruise, the ship had floor mats in the elevators with sayings about travel. Here are some of them.
Those that travel far know much.
There are seven seas but infinite
possibilities.
It's not just where you look, it's what you
see.
A great voyage is a journey that never ends.
Until you've traveled, you haven't lived.
Even the shortest journey expands the world.
Whatever you pack, there's always room for
memories.
Measure a journey by the friends you
discover.
No matter what happens, travel gives you a
story to tell.
The value of travel is the baggage you leave
behind.
You return from a trip, but not from a true
journey.
Reflecting on the above sayings brings to mind Bible verses that are relevant for planning future journeys.
“The Lord himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you. Don’t be afraid and don’t worry” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105).
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).
“If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:9-10).
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring… you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-16
To all who are reading this post, whether new or seasoned travelers, I share the following blessing over you and your travels, often referred to as the “Irish Blessing.”
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