Is there such a thing as the “Traveler’s Blues”? I’ve been back from Ireland for 26 days now and I still seem out of sorts…very melancholy. I’m having a hard time really getting back into my routine; at first, I blamed it on the jet lag…but that has long since subsided. I find myself longing for the beautiful Irish scenery, the warm Irish welcome of the people and the seemingly peaceful worry-free lifestyle. I have dreamed of moving there and have even looked at the cost of property! I am not so naïve to believe that the Irish do not experience the mundane dailiness of everyday life nor escape the trials and tribulations that plague all human kind. The proverbial grass is not any greener on the other side of the pond.
During my time in Ireland we were pretty much removed from the political, racial, and religious smog that is currently filling the air of the United States. Ireland was a breath of fresh air, I could breathe again! I have come to realize, since I’ve been back, the continuous smog we are breathing in at every moment of the day is a slow poison. It seems to be everywhere, pumped into our homes through 24-hour news channels, on Facebook and in tweets, in the workplace and in sitcoms. At our sporting events and in our music and it is filtering down into our families and our dinner conversations…even elementary school children are being forced to breath it in. It saddens & alarms me.
I do not intend to be the ostrich with its head stuck in the sand clinging to ignorance to what is going on around me; being informed is not to be confused with being inundated. I will stay informed but I will not immerse myself in this smog every minute of the day. I will breathe in the fresh air that can still be found here in America. I will turn off the TV and go for a walk, I will pray for my country and for its people, I will look for ways to be kind, helpful and loving. I will find joy in the blessings and beauty that Christ provides daily in this life…if I would only stop to look for it.
“In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise; things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable….And the God who gives us peace will be with you.”—Philippians 4:8&10
Traveler’s Blues…
The Wallace Adventure! 
As I prayed for you and Michael, I remembered this morning to read your last blog. One way to fulfill Philippians 4:8 is to read a book that redirects your thoughts. I suggest “Reading the Bible Supernaturally” by John Piper from Crossway books. I have almost completed reading it myself, and while I may not agree with every point, it is a very good perspective on how to read the Bible to get the message God intends us to get out of His love letter to us.
I pray you will come out of this smoggy feeling into the sunshine of God’s love.
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Thanks for the reading recommendation; I will check it out.
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