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Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Enjoy the Ride



Yes, we were like two kids embarking on a field trip when we decided to embark on a grand adventure of a lifetime – to London -- navigating and walking more than we thought possible.

Then taking trains, Ubers, taxis, the Tube, double-decker buses, endless walking, and fifteen glorious days aboard the Nieuw Statendam ship.

There were moments when our hearts nearly beat out of our chests.
Especially when we ignored the safe and sensible option of taking an Uber and instead decided, “Let’s walk there or let's take the train like the locals!”

There were times we walked so far trying to find our destination that I was certain we were testing both Carl’s pacemaker and my prayer life simultaneously.

But somewhere between the missed turns, crowded stations, aching feet, and unexpected detours, we learned something:
Life is like a roller coaster.

There are thrilling climbs, unexpected drops, sharp turns, delays, and occasional moments when we wondered why we ever got on the ride in the first place.

One evening aboard the ship, we were enjoying a high-energy production with incredible singers and dancers when suddenly -- everything stopped. The lights went out. The music quit. The performers hurried offstage. The show was canceled.

Yet no one panicked. Our gracious cruise director walked out and calmly assured us the issue would be fixed, just not that night.

Isn’t that life sometimes?

Just when we think everything is finally flowing smoothly, a giant “TEMPORARILY OUT OF ORDER” sign appears.
A disappointment.
A delay.
A diagnosis.
A detour.

Aw! But God gently reminds us:
"All things God works for the good of those who love Him." — Romans 8:28

From experience, when, like us – YOUR roller coaster suddenly jerks, rattles, or pauses --don’t give up.

Take a deep breath. Pray. Laugh when you can. And if necessary, carry a spiritual “barf bag” for those moments when life gets a little queasy and….

Release the fear.
Release the frustration.
Release the disappointment.

Then – let’s throw up our hands back up in the air and enjoy the ride again.

Because our God -- Who designed the journey is still in control of every twist and turn. And, He isn’t rattled by interruptions.

#Godisincontrol #enjoytheride #ReleaseFear
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The Cashless Conundrum



Before we left for London and our grand adventure through the United Kingdom, we spent time deciding the important things to see and do.

Of course the museums to visit and what landmarks to see -- but even more so -- we were trying to figure out how to pay for everything!

Cash or credit card?

As it turns out, in the United Kingdom, credit cards reign supreme. Tapping a card or phone is often faster than finding our reading glasses, locating the correct bill, and trying to remember which pocket we put it in.

So we embraced modern technology and headed off to conquer London.

Then someone told us, "The fastest way around the city is the Tube."

The Tube? It sounded harmless enough.

The London Underground has been transporting passengers since 1863 and is the world's oldest underground railway. Millions of people use it every year. We quickly discovered they all seem to be in a hurry!

People zipped around us like they were training for the Olympics. Escalators moved. Trains (the Tube) arrived. Crowds flowed.

Meanwhile, Carl and I were trying to determine which direction to go, where to tap our credit card, where to retrieve the ticket, and whether we had accidentally boarded a train headed for Scotland.

Miraculously, we survived!

Better yet, after navigating the Tube several times, we realized we still had a few functioning brain cells left. In fact, we felt rather accomplished.

The experience got me thinking about today's cashless culture. More and more businesses prefer digital payments. Some don't accept cash at all.

While I still appreciate the wisdom of saving pennies, I've learned a little flexibility goes a long way.

Most of life's frustrations aren't worth losing our joy over.

So whether we're paying with cash, a credit card, our phone, or whatever comes next, let's remember this -- money is simply a tool. What matters most is how we use it and the attitude we carry along the way.

And if life suddenly moves faster than we're comfortable with -- we don't panic.
We take a deep breath.
We smile.
We ask for directions -- a lot.
We trust God.
And we keep moving forward.

God's got us -- summer, spring, winter or fall.
AND, when it all gets too complicated, too hurried, too worried -- we call on our ALL KNOWING, ALL LOVING Father God Who is there to direct us, guide us and helps us find those green pastures where all is sweet peace and comfort and joy!

After all, if Carl and I can successfully navigate the London Tube and all the means of transportation we took in our grand adventure -- I assure you -- there may be hope for all of us!

The London Tube taught us more than transportation -- it taught us flexibility, patience, and a lot of humility! Sometimes life moves fast, but with a smile, a credit card, and God's help, we can navigate the journey just fine.

#TravelLessons #londontube #FaithAndFlexibility
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Tuesday, May 26, 2026

At Last -- the Prodigals Came Home



Hallelujah! After nine long days, our missing luggage finally arrived home. We checked websites, made phone calls, saved claim numbers, and searched for answers. Every day I told myself to trust God. Every day I reminded others to trust God. Every day I quoted Scripture.
AND every day I worried. There. I said it.
Let me be honest. I have NOT mastered faith. I am not a spiritual giant. I doubted. I whined. Ever felt that way?
Truthfully, most of us don't need another story about someone who never struggled. We need reminders that ordinary people can wrestle with worry and still discover God's faithfulness on the other side.
In fact, I suspect some of my readers are carrying burdens far heavier than delayed luggage. A health diagnosis. A prodigal child. Financial pressure. Loneliness. Grief. Unanswered prayers.
And when you all read my blogs –- you aren’t really into whether my suitcases arrived or not.
I am a woman who loves God's Word, writes about faith, and encourages others to stand on His promises. Yet somewhere between day three and day nine, I began imagining my belongings living permanently in someone else’s closet.
My faith wasn't gone, but it certainly wasn't strutting around confidently either.
Suddenly, I remembered an important truth: God was faithful every single day they were missing. And it wasn’t because I was faith-filled – trusting in God’s promises.
I really did want to believe as I read this scripture: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3
The luggage was delayed, but God wasn't.
His faithfulness never depended on the strength of my faith. He remained faithful because that's who He is. He knew exactly where they were the entire time.
Perhaps that's the lesson.
Faith isn't pretending we're never anxious. Faith is bringing our anxieties back to God -- again and again -- until peace finally outweighs fear.
So, if you're waiting for an answer, a breakthrough, a healing, a provision, or a miracle, don't give up.
Keep praying.
Keep trusting.
Keep believing.
Your answer may be delayed, but God's faithfulness never is.
AND – if luggage could speak, I think they’d say: “Sorry we're late. We were just helping you learn to trust God a little more."
And honestly, I'd have to admit -- they did.

Donna Wuerch Noble

 
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