I am traveling this week. Meetings in Minnesota have me on a pre-dawn flight out of University Park airport today. While I am a morning person, I am not a fan of getting up before the rest of my house, creeping quietly around getting ready, and turning off the lights on sleeping people and pets as I leave for several days. My route to the airport takes me through campus, and everyone seemed to be asleep there, too.
While I hate to leave, I love to travel. I don’t like to be gone, but I enjoy the changes and challenges of being away. It is interesting to change location so quickly, and to encounter new people and places as a trip unfolds. This morning, I found a surprising camaraderie with the other travelers in line for TSA screening. The staff were pleasant and kind despite the early-morning hours.
I studied the lights of State College and campus at takeoff, and drank in the colors of dawn above the clouds. The hum and vibration of the propeller plane I am riding to DC is somehow peaceful and calming, despite some turbulence that makes my palms sweat a bit.
My thoughts are filled with the people I am leaving behind. My husband who will take on the lunch packing and dog walking I usually do. My daughter who will serve birthday pumpkin bars to her class tomorrow (a few days late). My dogs who will shed and play and wonder when I will return. Colleagues who will meet without me (again) to talk about shared projects. Students who will reply to emails I send from thousands of miles away. The community that will gather Thursday evening for worship and dinner as always, despite my absence.
The people and places of my everyday life are precious. I am grateful for each of you, the gifts you bring to our campus and community. Being away for a few days, particularly leaving while most of town and campus are still asleep, helps me see and reflect on the rich blessings, the particular challenges, and the delights of life and work in State College. While I am far away, my prayers are with all who study, work and live in our community. May God watch between us while I am away, and once I return. — ara
Prayer
God of every dawn,
Thank you for this new day, and for the changes and challenges I will encounter.
Thank you for the people and places of my everyday life.
Thank you for those who live with me, for the fun as well as the struggles we share. Help us to grow and learn from each other.
Thank you for the work that fills my days. Studying and working are tiring, so give me strength. Use my abilities and gifts in my work today, and in the work I am preparing to do.
Thank you for the blessings and gifts that surround me. Open my eyes to them all.
Fill me with wonder and joy at the ways my life is unfolding, and the people and place that fill my days. Remind me to offer thanks to them and to you.
Lift me up when I am struggling. Sustain me when I am weak. Fill me with hope when I despair.
Amen.