Posted in Different Moments

Ireland: Day 7

From vacation, we returned to vacation
On the drive, our side quests abound
Beginning with coffee near Slemish
Where Patrick, enslaved, his faith found

A child of a minister’s family
He’d scorned the faith they proclaimed
Yet here on the hills of volcano
The Good Shepherd was calling his name

Next Belfast, to St George’s Market
So busy and filled from the start
We pondered, perused and wandered
And talked with artists of their art

Then to the corner of Lewis
To see Narnia in the flesh
Each statue a life-sized reminder
Imagination offers refresh

Seeing his church and the rectory
His home they call “Little Lea”
Here the seeds of harvest were planted
In the soil of wartimes to be

Off to the shores of Titanic
Where Nomadic still rests, work completed
I wonder the thoughts and the prayers
Of those who were on this ship seated

This life, our Nomadic journey
So short, as to what may next come
Ensured of eternity after
(Yet its mystery has already begun.)

Returned to our safe Howth harbor
We unpacked at Oring domicile
Contented with all our adventures
Each headed to bed with a smile

Posted in Different Moments

Ireland: Day 6

A day of such natural beauty
This day was especially filled
Started with full Irish breakfast
To navigate these emerald hills

Dunseverick castle reminded
Our desire for safe and secure
Can also mean isolation
While our walls will crumble for sure

Ensconced in the beauty surrounding
While hiking both round, down, and up
As if we had just finished praying
“Lord, with beauty, fill my cup.”

The waves slowly crashing on boulders
Their ancient soundtrack still playing
We traveled to the Giant’s Causeway
Not far from where we were staying

A hike all around the cliff’s edges
An awe-inspiring view
To pause and breathe in such wonder
So often, we simply eschew

Climbing, exploring like children
Each step well apportioned and shaped
One direction, a coastal exhibit
The other, pastoral landscaped

Next, a brief stop in Bushmills
To refresh our stomachs and mind
Tiring, yet still pressing forward
To Dunluce to see what we’d find

Through rain, we saw cliff-sided castle
Which inspired Aslan’s abode
With gratitude for redemptive story
Back to Ballycastle, we hit the road

Posted in Different Moments

Ireland: Day 5

Another day dawned for exploring
To the Hill of Tara we went
Where ancient kings and their kingdoms
Assembled for whom they were sent

On this hill of archaic importance
Saint Patrick came to address
To show Kings the way of the Triune
As path to be divinely blessed

A place of such legend and wonder
Yet Truth only can set all free
The Kings of old, no longer reigning
His Kingdom spreads out globally

Next to the Hillsborough Castle
Where more recent royalty stays
Lush gardens proclaiming in opulence
We’ve moved on from our ancient ways

Strolling through beautiful gardens
Each bed gently weeded and pruned
Reminds us the care of our gardener
Who waters and tends every wound

Yet hidden in tapestried corners
Desires to be those now blessed
Relying more on our politic
Than on the faith once confessed

A drive up the East Coastal Causeway
We’re cleared of all cobwebs or crown
Reminded, in God’s good creation
The Creator Himself has come down

Each sharp turn a prayer reminder
“Lord, guide both our drive and our path
May we walk as those always with You
Instead of avoiding Your wrath”