The Mist

​It was at the northern stretch of a European tour when my eyes were open to a reality that has always stayed with me. We followed the route up into Scandinavia with its breathtaking beauty. I liked the rugged northern part of the European continent as it reminded me of my Canada. The trip from Stockholm Sweden to Turku Finland through the hundreds of islands was beautiful reminding me again of areas in Canada I have traveled. I went up to this land of the Vikings twice.

The second time I found myself extremely tired yet I still took a ferry into the fjords out of Stavanger Norway. I was cold almost to the bone. To make matters worse it was foggy. The mist covered the ship like a shroud obscuring any hope to see what was suppose to be a quite a spectacle.

"This was a stupid decision and I really do not want to be here"
I told myself.

Suddenly, I felt the damp air warming up a few degrees. Then the sun, yes the blessed sun, began to seep through the miserable mist lifting up my spirits and erasing my complaining.

We entered into a wonderland of breathtaking beauty. The walls of the fjords towered above. The upper edges seemed to touch the clear blue sky. The water was a kind of turquoise in colour. Orcas, known also as killer whales, were seen. On one shore there was a place where goats inhabited. I felt so diminished before such absolute grandeur yet so privileged to behold this magnificent creation of natural beauty.
So what life lesson did I learn?

Sometimes life can be like the ship I was on. It takes us through some very unpleasant places and situations. We think things will never change. BUT, the ship is moving even though we do not realize it. We will pass through the most difficult "fog of life." Hold on. God is in charge of this ship of life you are on. Trials are not forever. The mist will clear. The external beauty I saw in the fjords of Norway will be nothing compared to the beauty that will be brought forth from your inner being. Have faith in the ship of Life. There are clear warm skies ahead.
​
Dan