Today’s First Reading from Isaiah 42 has God saying I have taken you by the hand and kept you. That is a rather lovely image, isn’t it? Perhaps you have experienced the hand of a loved one in yours, comfortable, tender, and joyous? Can you imagine what it would be like to have God be the One whose hand is grasping yours? I took great delight in those words when I read them.
I have spent some of the evening booking hotels in Spain for my trip. I am breathing much easier now and can start to look forward to what is to come. I cannot wait to hold hands with God in these holy places!! I had lunch with a friend of mine who did the Camino in the fall. While I will not be walking this famous pilgrimage site, I will eventually find myself in the town of Santiago. She has me very excited to be part of the town, the food, the Cathedral, and the overall holiness of the great cloud of witnesses that I will be joining.
I know many of you are wondering where exactly I am going. I will be going initially to Montserrat where St. Ignatius laid down his sword before the Black Madonna and Manresa where he wrote the Spiritual Exercises and had an encounter with the Divine. I will travel eventually to Loyola before heading to Santiago. I am still working out the rest of my trip but I will finish in Barcelona with friends.
I must admit to some stress about this trip. I am aware that I am not the Suzanne that usually hits the ground running and explores every little nook and cranny but despite lower energy levels, I am quite excited about walking in the footsteps of St. Ignatius. Now comes the surrendering of the journey. I will place my fears and health in God’s good hands and walk beside this Creator who longs to spend some holy time with me. That part I long for in ways that I cannot express. To be able to stand at the heights of a mountaintop and absorb the beauty of what I see thrills me. To that moment, I will add the image of God’s hand clasped in mine, standing together, soaking it all in. No words are necessary. Love speaks abundantly.
Peace,
Suzanne
Reflection Questions
Can you imagine that God holds your hand and keeps you?
What if at every moment, you could feel God’s hand in yours, comforting and calming you? What might change for you?
Prayer
Take my hand, Creator-God, and let me relish in the knowledge that you hold the entire world in those palms. You also choose to clasp my hand and never let it go. May I never try to wriggle out of your grasp. Keep me, Lord, keep me there. Amen.
God in all things 
You have left me with a beautiful image tonite Suzanne…God’s hand clasped in yours throughout your journey.
We have had a good week of rest in this apt here in Kula Lumpur, doing familiar things like going to the onsite exercise room to do treadmill, swim in pool, go to mall, grocery shopping and cooking a meal. Only took one day to do some site seeing, went to KL city central to see their landmark buildings..the 2 towers, like the 2 famous towers in New York. A lady from Iran also befriended me at the pool. Her and her husband an 3 adult daughters now live in Australia. Her and husband here for a vacation for 52 days. She gave me some tea biscuits from Iran to take with me as a gift. Very kind of her. One of the nicest parts of this sort of travel is the people you meet along the way. I’m also finding the Muslim ladies I interact with , very friendly. One lovely young girl helped us when we got a bit lost taking sky train.
Tomorrow we fly Air Asia(cheap flights) to Georgetown on big island of Penang. There for 6 days.
Good nite Suzanne, may you meet some special people on your journey, earth angels:)💜
Love, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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Usually, I rest my head on Jesus’ shoulder but I like this new image of God and I walking hand in hand.
KL sounded like it might have been restorative for you. That is good. Sad news today about Brussels. Stay safe as you travel. Air Asia is ok. I have traveled with them in the past. Just the basics but that is all you need.
hugs.
So beautifully written Suzanne, you have brought tears to my eyes as I imagine you in all these places, seeing such wonderful things. When do u leave and how long will you be gone for, if you don’t mind me asking. ☺️
Thanks, Heather. I sent you a private message to your work address. I see I am having some trouble sending but you will get a response there. I have also sent something else via FB.
Love this post Suzanne! I am with you in prayers and heart while you are planning, preparing and eventually walking these paths. Image of God holding your, mine hand is precious and a good reminder of his closeness and intimacy with us. Blessings
God holds us close, my friend.