Our oldest son and his fiancé decided to get married abroad.  Their destination wedding would take place on a Greek island.  Upon hearing their plan, we were happy for them, but sad that we couldn’t afford to attend.  But to our surprise, they immediately told us that they would be paying for our tickets and accommodations.  We were humbled, grateful, and later excited.  We wanted their ceremony and marriage to be our focus, not our travel.  I didn’t even look up our destination for months in an effort to make sure my priority was them and not our experience.  However, as we talked about their wedding plans with them, we realized they wanted us to enjoy the whole experience just as they were going to.  I didn’t need to feel guilty about enjoying the trip.  They encouraged us to do some traveling on our own after their wedding and even bought us tickets to a country where we wanted to visit friends.  To make a long story short- we ended up enjoying a three week trip of a lifetime.  The first week was with our son and his bride and her family and friends. What precious times traveling and enjoying great food and sights together!  The Greek island of Rhodes proved to be everything we hoped for.  Both the climate and the people were warm.  Having a wedding week, instead of a wedding day gave us a first-hand understanding of the custom in Israel during Biblical times.  We had days to get to know our daughter-in-law’s family who live in California instead of part of a day.  The daily meals together were times of talk, laughter, and bonding.  After the wedding, we enjoyed two weeks visiting friends in Spain and Scotland.  We bought Eurail tickets and traveled by train from southern Spain to northern Scotland.  We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the countryside from the window of high-speed trains.  We did the trip in three days with a one day stop-over.  The times with our dear friends in Spain and in Scotland are memories we cherish.

So what’s my point?  To brag about being European travelers?  Nope.  I wanted to share some things we learned along the way.

It isn’t just about where you are, it’s who you’re with.  I can’t imagine taking a trip like this alone.  We both agreed that it took both of us to navigate the airports and train stations.  We definitely needed two pairs of eyes and ears to get to our destinations!  But beyond the practical advantage, we agreed that even tho we were happy for couple time, our joy was magnified by being with those we love.  A quiet meal with our oldest son and his fiancee before the rush of wedding busyness was a treasure.  The simple ceremony led by Husband with a small group of friends and family witnessing their heartfelt vows beside the blue Aegean Sea was unforgettable.  After the ceremony, savoring the wedding meal on a porch open to the ocean breeze with the sea below us and lights twinkling on the water, laughing at the girls jostling for the bouquet throw, seeing our son and his wife lovingly interact during their first dance are memories to hold in our hearts the rest of our lives.

The following week, while staying in Spain with a dear friend, we thought about the day we met her ten years prior.  She had just begun her master’s program in the US.  She was young, navigating a new culture, a new school, a new language, and a new country.  Now she is a loving wife and mother of two girls living and working in Spain.  Playing with their 2-year-old daughter was bliss. We didn’t enjoy sightseeing nearly as much as time with their family.

When we arrived in Aberdeen, Scotland, we scanned the faces in the train station for our friends of 45 years.  How beautiful their smiling faces were in the bustle of the station!  We felt so happy participating in their lives by doing a few projects together.  What a good feeling to contribute a little in response to their kind hospitality!  Seeing their thriving grandchildren was a special treat and attending the church their son pastors was meaningful.  

Relationships are our highest value.  It’s what we humans are made for.  Loving God and people is the one thing we do now that will go on into eternity with us.

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” ” Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as recorded in Matthew 22:38-40  

We’re more aware of God’s mercies when we’re out of our comfort zone.  I’ve already written about some them here and here.  It made me realize that when I get so comfortable in my routine, I can forget the countless mercies that the Lord showers on us.  When we’re facing new challenges, we’re more apt to ask for and receive little miracles.  I want to push out of my comfortable boundaries and put myself out there where I need the Lord desperately.  I also want to be more alert to the daily mercies God showers me in the everyday.  Our family, (What’s better than two little granddaughters holding hands as they walk together on a Fall day?!), our food, our warm house, the birds, flowers, changing Fall leaves, sunshine or rain, health, conversations with friends.  Do I stop to savor these and give thanks?

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”  Lamentations 3:21-22

Being the recipients of hospitality and generosity makes us want to be more hospitable and generous.  Our friends modeled generous hospitality.  They planned meals, and took the time to talk.  They made us feel welcome and important.  We want to do the same for others.There’s something about sitting around a table that bonds you together.  Being in someone’s home helps you know that person better than just seeing them in a public place.  There are many lonely people in this broken world.  I can’t change the world, but I can offer friendship by inviting someone over for a meal and conversation. After all, one glorious day we’ll be sitting together at the table in the Kingdom of Heaven!

“And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.”  Jesus in Matthew 8:11

“And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.””  Revelation 19:9