He is familiar.

24 days ago, I left the United States and touched down in The Netherlands. For the next several days, I would visit 3 European countries, 3 cultures and 3 places so rich with history that it would be difficult to share this experience with others. Our travel group would be immersed in four different languages, 2 forms of currency and countless situations that felt...well...unfamiliar. I remember our outbound trip faced many delays. With our first goal to land in Warsaw, Poland, we missed a connecting flight. Amsterdam would be our unexpected home for the night. I walked into an unfamiliar aiport terminal, connected to a train station, and I simply searched for English words. I needed those words to lead me to a Hilton, a familiar hotel. I remember opening my first menu in a country where Dutch was the official language. Hmmmm...the words "Texas burger" were familiar. However, should I really order that? Operating plugs, light switches, toilets, showers, room keys and lamps was different. We were in the middle of an outdoor Finnish market, and I really needed to go to the restroom. Of course, I did! Only the Finnish would have space-age looking potties on sight. The sweet lady ahead of me went to great effort to tell me, "There is a locker on the right side when you walk in." I couldn't wait to find that locker because it meant I wouldn't have to balance my backpack on my knees while squatting in a space big enough for a very small chipmunk. Sometimes, the word "locker" has different meanings. I wasn't familiar with this meaning. I was so busy looking for that fancy locker that I forgot to simply lock the door using the "locker." Whew! I am glad I did escape any further embarrassment. We all face times in our lives when the world around us feels unfamiliar. Our lives can be turned upside down as grief, loss, and unexpected change overwhelms our souls. During times like this, we look around, and we don't recognize anything. What are we called to do in moments like this? How can we follow in the footsteps of our Father? You and I can cling to what we know. We can embrace those Holy habits that stabilize us when the circumstances of our lives are unfamiliar. Pray. Immerse yourself in God's Word. Fall to your knees, and worship Him in songs of praise. Find a place to be still. Look up. Take one small step forward. Breathe in Christ. In the midst of what feels unfamiliar, we can anchor our souls to The One who never changes...The One who will always be familiar no matter the circumstances/season in which we find ourselves. Thanks be to God!