–I wrote this in Word, when without a wireless signal, while still in Barcelona…

I’m in Barcelona and I think there are a few things that I would like to remember from this trip. Mainly, that I need to take time to reflect, time to just think, and be. The time that I’ve spent in Starbucks, or in Cuitadella park, or downstairs in the hostel have all brought deep thoughts – things that could not have happened if I didn’t take the time to just go, to get away. I wrote this in my journal just today,

I know Lord that a lot of this is about leaving. It’s about discovery and depth, truth and change, light and dark, it’s about patience, dependence, getting over myself. It’s about staying in an unfamiliar place until it becomes familiar. It’s about depth, about giving everything up so I can rediscover it all again. It’s about hiking to the top of a castle hill instead of taking the easy way. It’s about meeting people I never would have met if I had not taken this trip at this moment with these people. It’s less about old buildings and more about new friendships. I’m not sure I would have known much about theses things had I not just done it. Lord I am thankful for these things, the depth of life that exists beyond the commercialism, along the spiritual journey. I am discovering, exploring and I never want to stop. I don’t want to be content with this stuff of this world – or just become something because it’s easy, or there is money in the madness. I don’t want a nicer car, the biggest house, all of these things that don’t really matter. I just want somewhere to call home. Even this jail cell has provided a warm bed, new friendships and undiscovered thoughts.

I’ve journaled a lot since being inside this pocket of western culture. I’ve needed to think, to come away – to avoid the bombardment of things and just read – just think. I’ve been reading Proverbs and I’ve been amazed by their depth, like even a secularist can’t deny the wisdom inside of those 31 chapters.

In the midst of writing this I was finishing my last of the 4 Donald Miller books, Through Painted Deserts. All of this is flavored by his experience and thoughts of driving from Houston to Portland with his friend Paul.  It’s a good read, all of them are. Hard to pick a favorite, they’ve all landed with me at just the right time at different points in life.