It's a strange sensation to be starting my holiday time from my "normal" job. A slightly new sensation to have two weeks off and not have to think about what awaits and will be pending on my return. Strange to enter into the rhythm normal people in Norway live their lives by. I am not fully immersed, choosing two weeks as opposed to four, but it is a start.
And that is why I find myself at the airport. Sat in a very comfy sofa eating a raisin bun and drinking a latte that was made by pushing a button, I am packed and ready to pop for a long weekend to England. Might sound very flashy, but it's not really. It's simply a time to visit a few good friends.
As I sit here reflecting (airports are really good for that), I am thinking back to the past 6 weeks in what is now my permanent job. Six very good, but also challenging weeks. A time of figuring out what it means to be allowed into the lives of those who are in vulnerable places of their journeys, and help them look ahead with hope. I love to see it as "being guests" in someone else's life, because it implies such huge amounts of respect and honour are required and expected. And these people deserve respect and need to be honoured and encouraged. And sometimes they need to be pointed to hope and value because they see none.
I am thankful that I get to spend my time making a difference in lives; no matter how small and slow progress is made. Because people are always worth fighting for and the world is changed one person at time.
I expect these weeks to be interspersed with reflections... Different from stressing and deeper then just going through the motions of every day life. And I know that as I walk with others that I too am impacted, and as I allow these new people, who are now part of my life, into my heart, that ultimately I am also changed for the better.