I’m back in Iceland on this trip not to Iceland.
The extraordinary beauty of the Faroe Islands and the warmth of the people has left my friend and me with a yearning to return.
Planning to return is the way we’ve traveled for these twenty five years. Circling back to places we’ve loved, we return with our list of things we missed the first time, places we want to experience again, and being open to the surprises we know will happen.
I am thoughtful on this day back in Iceland. This may be a good way to live each day.
Doing again those things that fill our spirit.
Keeping a spiritual list of those things that are essential.
Always being ready and prepared for the surprises.
On Tuesday, in the rain, my friend and I explored the island of Eysturoy. The surprise was a second flock of puffins, hundreds of puffins, in a cove called Mary’s bænk. Mary’s bench.
On this Sabbatical journey, I haven’t been as still and quiet as is my normal practice. I’m not sure why, but I woke up this morning in Iceland with my heart seeking that still place.
So I sat on a spiritual Mary’s bænk. And waited for the surprise of this day. Not likely to be puffins. But who knows?
Yesterday I was surprised by chocolate cake at breakfast. In a place where I ate each morning watching the sheep graze out the window.
What will be the surprises this day in Iceland?
House of Grace 