I Hope

"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

- Red, The Shawshank Redemption

The final day of preparation and anticipation - trying to do too much too late. My bike is washed and waxed, my bags packed (sort of), the house (nearly) clean, my mind (almost) calm. Now begins the initiation of letting go and feeling my way through it. Now begins the hope.

"Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what had not been done had not been done;

let it be.

The night is dark.

Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

- excerpted from Night Prayer, as found in the A New Zealand Prayer Book.

Journey On!