"OUT! OUT! LET ME OUUUUT!"
These were the words that my niece was screaming after 30 minutes in her car seat after a 3 1/2 day drive to Dundee, MN, several trips to various towns surrounding Dundee, and two trips into The Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).
She did well for a three year old, we kept saying.
The truth is however, that my sister and I were screaming the same thing, just silently on the inside. (Oh, okay, sometimes it was not so silent, but it was a LONG time in a vehicle!)
Once we arrived at our destination, we always had a great time. Whether we were stopping at a hotel to rest, unloading my stuff from the truck with the help of a wonderful family in Dundee, or going to the Mall of America to 'play' at the amusement park, we always had a great time.
Yet travel, as life, is less about the destination than the planning and traveling to get there. It was a blessing to share the traveling for the past two weeks with my sister and my niece. It was not without struggles, trying to keep the little miss occupied during the drive for example. We also incurred some minor injuries. (I do not recommend jumping off the side of the hotel room tub to children. The toilet is close, and the tub slippery!) There was also a great deal of laughter and companionship and joy along the way, despite the desire to yell, 'Let me Out!'
Now the traveling to Dundee is over. My sister and niece arrived safely in Phoenix to an excited Dad/husband and one year old sister. And I have begun my internship.
I have not yet arrived at a final destination yet, however, and I actually pray I never do. Life, learning, ministry, it is about the journey. The joys, frustrations, laughter, and tears, are all part of traveling together through life here on earth.
There will be times on this last stretch of my path to ordination when I am sure I will again want to yell, 'Let Me Out!', times when frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed and isolated will threaten to overcome the joy.
That is why it is best to take the journey with people. It is so much harder to laugh it off, cry it out, or muddle through when you are alone.
So thank you for being some of the people I journey with.
May your road be as blessed as mine has been.