Have you ever taken a journey on a train, bus, car, or plane? Depending on the length of the trip and where you are traveling, each experience can be quite different. Some trips may be exciting and adventurous, while others may be challenging and even somewhat stressful. I know since I have traveled via each of the modes of transportation I have mentioned. Consequently, to their dismay, my children will tell you that traveling from New Jersey to Alabama on a bus when they were young was quite an adventure. Well, that journey is a story for another day. To this day, you would never get them to travel on a bus anywhere, “The Journey Matters!”

Nevertheless, aside from my days of long-distance bus travel, I have spent many hours traveling by car, train, and airplane. I can recall a nine-hour non-stop flight to Liberia many years ago. At the time, I had two children and traveled with my husband to visit family. The journey to Liberia was a relatively smooth and pleasant trip. However, on the return trip, I traveled back with the children, age three and seven months, so my husband could visit with his parents and siblings a bit longer, “The Journey Matters!”

Jesus, take the wheel! The entire return trip was turbulent! I was afraid to even go to the restroom and leave my sweet babies with an attendant. I knew if something happened on that Pan Am jumbo jet, I would never find my babies. What had been a wonderful trip visiting family was now a stressful return journey back home. Of less importance now is the beautiful time of family encounters. Consequently, my concern is to get back home safely with my little ones, “The Journey Matters!”

Specifically, I am sure each of you dear readers has many stories to share concerning your different journeys in life. Each one boast of the joys and ups and downs they bring along. Nevertheless, each one has value and a place in your heart and mind. “The Journey Matters!”

In life, each of us has our personal journeys that lead to a specific destination. Yes, the destination is the goal for us to reach, but no destination comes complete without a journey. Sometimes we can control certain aspects of our journey, while other parts are not in our control. Think about a specific destination you want to reach. What do you imagine the journey will be to get there? As we mature, our destinations in life change as well as our travels. Specifically, some destinations deal with relationships. The goal is to have a solid, loving relationship with someone. How you arrive, there is key. Suppose every step ( the journey) is rocky, painful, heartbreaking, or stressful is the destination worth it?

As I conclude this post, let it serve as a reminder that destinations are essential. We need to travel in life, but how we travel and where we end is part of the journey. In all our trips in life, if we include God, it will not eliminate some of the bumps and hurts, but His presence will guide us, keep us and let us know if the particular destination is where we should be going. Accordingly, just as we don’t want to leave home without our cell phone, wallet, credit cards, we must not ever go on a journey without God as our traveling companion. And he said, let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. Genesis 33:12. I”ll be back next week with a new post, “Thanksgiving-A Season to Share!”

Be encouraged, and God bless!

Sister Jackie