February 20

John 4:6

Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from the journey. So he sat down by the well. It was about noon.

When Jesus stopped at the well to rest, he began talking with a local woman. You know the story.

One thing I have learned while on a journey, is to take the time to stop, rest, and talk to the locals.

I was in Ireland, for a week by myself. I went for a hike in a national forest. It was a loop trail, and I had reached the highpoint of the hike, which was to cross this creek, and then head back down the other side. I decided to stop and enjoy where I was, cool my feet in the water, and have a bite of lunch. I was taking pictures, when an Irish couple who had also stopped for a bite, asked if I’d like them to take my picture. So I let them. We struck up a conversation, and ended up walking all the way back to the trailhead together, visiting all the way down. It was delightful!

Sometimes I think we forget to appreciate the moment, and where we are. We are busy trying to reach a destination, and forget to smell the roses along the way. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. Stop along the way, rest and enjoy.

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen