Preparing for the Journey

On a Tuesday, Troy and I left for vacation. We’d be road-tripping to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for one glorious week of reading, hiking, resting, and sightseeing.

The day before we left, I cleaned the house, washed all the laundry, made nourishing meals and snacks, and thoughtfully packed clothing for warm weather, cool weather, active days and chill days. I spent hours arranging for as calm a departure and return as possible.

 The more purposeful I am about preparing for what’s ahead, the smoother and more enjoyable the journey. Deliberateness protects me from stress, distraction, and impulsiveness, keeping me fueled, attentive, and on the right path.

On a road trip, that looks like filling our gas tank, plugging our destination into Google maps, packing a cooler, and keeping our eyes on the road (and on all the beautiful sights along the way). In life, it looks similar: knowing my destination, fueling myself physically, mentally, and spiritually to reach that destination, and avoiding wrong turns that lead to dead ends.

When I pause to reflect on it, I remember my destination is the Kingdom of Heaven. But I’m a forgetful, impetuous soul, so easily derailed by any number of diversions. If I don’t reflect daily, remember daily, and recommit myself daily, I will lose my way.

Becoming more mindful about finding Christ in each day’s choices, interactions, stumbles, and opportunities for spiritual growth has taken practice, resilience, and community support. I’m not perfect by any means, but I am more aware now than I was five years ago of how lifestyle changes such as simplifying, establishing healthy boundaries, taking care of my physical health, starting the morning with prayerful stillness, etc. can not only keep the Kingdom of Heaven at the forefront of my mind but also make my journey calmer and more joy and hope-filled.

We had the best kind of getaway:  my heart was wowed by beauty and my mind soothed and quieted by detaching from noise and frenzied thoughts.  My deepest desire is to protect and feed that inner quiet, that attentiveness, that awe and gratitude, as I continue on my way towards salvation and eternity. 

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