Above and Beyond

 Funny little story…during our recent Italy pilgrimage, on the second day, we were in Turin to see the Holy Shroud and then explore the town on our own for two hours. Of course seeing the Shroud of Turin in person was very moving in and of itself. But as I have a propensity to see and do as much as possible, I had bought tickets to go to the top of the Mole Antonelliana, Italy’s tallest building. It didn’t work out in the time allotted (we wouldn’t have even been able to eat lunch, which the two of us enjoyed at a cute outdoor cafe). As we boarded the bus that afternoon (I thought for our hotel) I felt disappointed – and scolded myself at the same time (“you just saw the Shroud and had a nice lunch with your husband, and saw some cool sights – that should be enough!”) Then our bus started climbing one of the mountains that surround Turin…as a surprise visit to the top of the Alps where the Basilica di Superga is perched, with breathtaking views of the city and surrounding mountain ranges all around. I kept gasping as we climbed higher and higher and kept getting views of the alps…and felt a little ashamed (I confessed to my husband and then laughed at myself)…here we were thousands of feet higher than we would have been in the Mole building – and to think we might have missed our romantic lunch, the bus, and these views if we had stuck to my little plan! It reminded me that I need to have more faith in God’s plan (and the pilgrimage leaders!). I recalled the saying, “Life is not measured in the breaths we take, but in the moments that take our breath away.” Or as it says in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Our God can truly amaze us if we stay open to his wonders!