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The value of time.

Time is so precious. There never seems to be enough, and once you use it you can never have it back. Yet again I find myself sat at the busy airport of Schiphol with such gratitude in my heart. And as always, airports are a great place to blog in want of something more exciting to do. My (apparently) beauty enhancing juice has taken the place of my customary latte or cup of Earl, and although I am not quite sure how much of an impact a cup of juice can have on my beauty, I am sure my body is thankful to not be exposed to even more caffeine... at least for now. Copenhagen airport has good coffee.

The past days have contained such times of quality time. Time to sit down with just a few of those I love who live in Amsterdam. Time to share hearts. Time to receive and give. There is something about meeting in person which no amount of email or Skype can measure up to.

Some of that time was listening both to what they were sharing but also between the lines and to God. Other times it was me trying to put words to what life looks like now and expressing just a little bit of the journey I am on.

Time is a gift.

Meeting friends; where some of the journeys have been journeys of transformation, and others where the burdens are heavy to carry, and I could just for an hour add my strength to their burdens and help them carry them.

And as I sit here I realise I wish I had had more time. More time to sit down with more people. More time to share about God’s faithfulness and hear about how He is so present in the walk of others. Time to be and do life here just a little bit longer.

And yet it is time.

Time to go back home and continue life in Norway which is my place now. And yet going back encouraged to make Norway home even more. Encouraged that friendship is possible and that the same way as I have people whose hearts I am connected to in Amsterdam, that it is possible in Norway too. Going back with renewed motivation that the same way I found my way when I lived in Amsterdam, I will find my way in Norway. And yet recognising that things take time. And even with the awareness of the futility and value of time, I need to let it take the time it takes.

And so as I sit her, with my heart overflowing from all the love and hope I have received this weekend, I have such a sense of peace. As sense of “it’s going to be ok”, because it will. Moving and settling in takes time, and yet as I know that, I want to figure out how I can make also that time of waiting count.

And so it is time... literally time to go find my gate and get on the plane that will take me one flight closer to where it is time for me to be in this season.

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