Seized by Hope

Day 4.....the adventure continues

I am typing this from my iPhone as there is something wonky with our wifi in Venice.

What a day.

The grandeur of the alps was breathtaking and majestic as we drove down from Salzburg.

We were both quiet and enjoyed the beauty all around us.

Our arrival at the rental car lot and subsequent water bus ride were a bit stressful and when we finally stepped foot on the dock we looked at each other and said, "we are really here!"

We began our walk to the hotel up 3 steps of marble stairs and down as many before turning down what looked like a tight hallway...which was actually a street! I have never seen anything like it. We continued in this manner for 30minutes winding our way thru Venice. We were within 10 yards of out hotel for 10 minutes and didn't see it.

When we finally arrived in the alleyway that houses our lavish room we found the door locked. I rang the bell and the girl opened up with her coat on ready to leave. She showed us to the room, which is completely gorgeous. Mark has really outdone himself with this.

We ate dinner at a small trattoria that has been here since 1505.

As I type I can here a gondola man singing outside ....seriously.

GoodnIght.

Risking for Rest

I signed into my face-book recently and saw my friend JJ's status, "just took a walk on the beach with my kids".  I felt the smile come to my face as I pictured her with her 3 toddlers, all under the age of 4, walking down the beach.

It's been an incredibly rough and rocky few years for she and her husband.  They've had 3 kids, moved across country, nearly lost JJ due to complications following the birth of baby #3, and most recently found themselves facing the reality of life crushing them underneath her husband's work schedule and the stress associated with his job.  Something had to give.

In an amazing move of risk and hope they sold a lot of their stuff, gave notice at his job, put most of their belongings into storage, packed their mini-van and headed for where they knew they could find some rest for their souls and begin the process of finding a job that would allow more life to take place for their family. 

They are renting a house on the beach in California.  It is the place where they found each other, fell in love, married and began their journey together.  It is a place where they smile.  It is a place where the wind coming off the ocean, the sound of the waves, and the familiar sights of the city invite them to dream and to remember who they are and why they are together.

They are young, and they are fighting for their future and they are doing so with stunning creativity.

Some might name them as fools for not hunkering down in the city where they were last living and waiting for a job to provide "security" for their move.  Some might scoff at their beach front rental property as extravagant and overdone.  Some might name them frivolous and indulgent.

I find their choice spectacular and inspiring.  I love that they are facing down the whispers of shame and evil and instead are following their hearts and trusting that the rest found for them in this setting is God given and extended to them with His blessing.

There is no doubt they have made a decision that brings with it great risk...but really the only way to experience hope is in the presence of risk.  If you don't ever risk, you won't need to hope.

I hope that JJ walked the beach again this morning with her husband and her sweet babies. 

I am thinking about my own life and where the invitations are coming from God to take spectacular risks for the sake of hope and rest and more of Him.