So, we went to Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria. I’ve been
meaning to write about our trip for at least a week, but then we got caught up
in this little thing called
packing-up-our-belongings-and-moving-across-the-country. We’ve been living out
of suitcases (and backpacks) since
moving out of our apartment in August, so it feels amazingly good to finally
have everything in its place again. Or at least in a place. Organization is
still in progress.
I have this back-burner dream of being a travel blogger that
writes about fabulous locations and gives tips about how to expertly pack a
backpack, book incredibly cheap-and-chic AirBnB stays, and discover hidden-gem
restaurants and boutiques that only locals know about. For the moment, though,
I’m going to skip all the Trip Advisor details and just talk about what really
matters to me now that our first foray into backpacking has come and gone.
| Pike Place Market, Seattle |
| original Starbucks, Seattle |
I basically had no idea what was going on for the majority
of our trip. I sketched a vague outline of a few things I’d like to see and do
in each location, but beyond that, I was completely and entirely dependent on
Taylor’s lead. He’s done substantial traveling, isn’t afraid of public
transportation, and is 100% more comfortable (and attractive) wearing a
backpack than me. It just made sense to turn everything over into his hands. So
I did.
| troll under the bridge, Seattle |
Taylor booked our airfare, our Amtrak seats, our ferry
rides, and our clipper trip. Taylor bought our bus passes. He tracked each stop
on Google Maps to make sure that we got off at the right location. He
researched every city we visited and pre-planned day trips he knew I would
enjoy.
| all scrubbed up and ready to tour Theo's Chocolate Factory in Seattle |
| Granville Island, Vancouver |
| "enjoying" high tea at The Empress in Victoria |
| seal-spotting at Fisherman's Wharf, Victoria |
As for me? I didn’t know which way we were going, what
method of transportation we were taking, which bus stop to wait at, or what
activity we’d be doing when we arrived. I didn’t book, check in, check out,
route, map, or tip. I just went. I just woke up in the morning, got dressed,
did a few hours of work, and walked out the door with full confidence that good
things were ahead. I trusted Taylor because he’s done this before. I trusted
him because he knows me—what I like and what I don’t. I trusted him because he
has my best in mind, he wants to provide for me, and he always keeps me safe no
matter where we go.
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I was telling my mom all of these things when I saw Jesus.
Not physically (I’d probably still be laid out somewhere on the side of the
road), but spiritually, emotionally—with the eyes of my heart. It stopped me in
my tracks, and I mean that literally, because we were in the middle of a walk
around her neighborhood. If I can trust the details of so many unknowns to Taylor,
how much more can I free fall into the arms of my Heavenly Father? If I can hand
over the reigns of trip-planning to Taylor, how much more can I give over
control of my life to my Savior? If I can follow Taylor no matter where he’s
going, how much more can I walk in complete, blessed assurance no matter which
direction my God and King is leading?
 |
I struggle with trusting the Lord for no good reason at all.
He has provided for me in every season. He has loved me with an everlasting
love. He has grasped me by the hand, pulled me out of a pit of confusion and
anxiety and depression when no one else could reach me. He has comforted me, called
me His own, given me the good gifts of a family who raised me to know Truth and
a husband who points me to Him. And yet I fear. I grasp at control as if the
future is something I can predict, hold, and manipulate. I resist giving it all
up, giving it all away, and simply resting at His feet, choosing instead to
lock my spine and tighten my shoulders and brace myself for continued battle
with a thousand “what-if” questions that have nothing at all to do with my
reality.
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But I want to grow. I want to abide in peace. I want so
badly to walk barefoot with Jesus with my hair blowing in the wind. So every
dollar we spent on our trip to Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria was worth it as
this realization poured through me: I don’t have to know exactly where I’m
going, how I’m going to get there, where to wait, or what to do. I don’t have
to create an immovable five-year plan, make things happen on my own, set the
pace, or plot my own course. I can just go. I can just be. I can just get up in
the morning, get dressed, do a few hours of work, and walk out the door with
full confidence that good things are ahead. I can trust my Father because He’s
seen all of this before. He’s pre-determined every moment of my day. He knows
me—what I need and what I don’t. He has my best in mind—my earthly
sanctification and eternal salvation. He has provided for me, and will continue
to do so no matter what unknowns are still to come on this journey. He always
has and always will keep me safe, no matter where I go.
. . .
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is
flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him…It is God who arms me
with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a
deer; He enables me to stand on the heights.” Psalm 18:30-33 (read the entire
psalm here)
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has
compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers
that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a
flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place
remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is
with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children…”
Psalm 103:13-17 (read the entire psalm here)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be
found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity…”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (read the entire passage here)
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
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