The dynamic of the provisional

Originally, my plans for sabbatical were to spend much of it walking the Portugues Camino. However, thanks to the 'joys' of Brexit, I discovered at the end of 2024 that my time away in Europe would push me over the 90 days allowed in the Schengen Territory. Whilst I know that lots of people have done various Camino in shorter stages, I would like to experience it as one. As a result, I had to think again and instead, I have a motorhome for the best part of two months. During these two months, six weeks will be travelling around the UK, including the North Coast 500.

Reflecting on 'what' I might reflect on during this time, I didn't want anything too weighty and, as is often the case, my first port of call was Taize and the writings of Brother Roger, its founder. I've read all of Br Roger's journals that started in the 1960s. I was drawn to one in particular, titled 'The Dynamic of the Provisional'. These words particularly appealed to me and will be, for me, something to reflect on during my time away:

'Contemplative waiting upon God leads us to the acceptances necessary each day: acceptance of our state of life, our growing older, acceptance of opportunities lost. Regret itself is transformed into a dynamic act, repentance, which stimulates our advance.....it is only in contemplative waiting upon God that we can find a new momentum.' 

So, I hope to do plenty of 'contemplative waiting on God' during my three months but in particular over the course of the first two on my own as I navigate a bit of France and the UK.