Looking back over the past week I can honestly say that I don't recall ever taking a holiday that so met and exceeded my expectations. Returning home, however, was quite another story, one I would never have chosen.
Looking ahead, in two days our entire regional district will be without power from morning until evening. Current and anticipated growth have made it necessary for our power supply company to upgrade the system. It's an event that's well worth the inconvenience and I'm already making preparations.
Last week's trip back home was another story given that what should have been a four hour flight, including stopovers, turned into a forty-eight hour blur. First it was the delay caused by an abnormally high number of passengers requiring wheelchairs. That was followed by a mechanical problem with the co-pilot's chair. As if that wasn't enough, the flight on which that broken part was being transported was interrupted by an unruly passenger, a return to the home airport and intervention by the police. On and on it went: the flight, now hours late, meant I missed another airline connection meaning I had to spend the night at a hotel, had to be re-routed to a different city and then had to rush to make ferry connections… Needless to say, it was so good to be home.
Although this was a minor incident compared to so many other things, I have been reminded of the fragility of life and especially of our plans. What may have seemed simple becomes complex; what was to have been refreshing ends up draining us of joy.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Hallelujah!
