We live by the sea and have done for many years, but now we are heading for Nepal, land locked country of high and beautiful mountains. No sailing for 4 years. No more call of the gulls and smell of the salt surf crashing on the rocky shore. This adventure is tinged with challenge, excitement and sadness. Leaving is always hard, letting go needs to happen for the new to begin.
St. Brendan the Celtic Pilgrim had a great leaving prayer as he left the west coast of Ireland in a small boat adventuring with God. Today it means a lot to me.
Shall I abandon O King of mysteries the soft comforts of home? Shall I turn my back on my native land and my face towards the sea? Shall I put myself wholly at the mercy of God, without silver, without horse, without fame and honour? Shall I throw myself wholly on the King of Kings, without sword and shield, without food and drink, without a bed to lie on? Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under Christ's yoke? Shall I pour out my heart to Him, confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness tears streaming down my face? Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach a record of my final prayer in my native land? Shall I then suffer every kind of wound the sea can inflict? Shall I take my tiny coracle across the wide sparkling sea? O King of glorious heaven shall I go of my own choice upon the sea? O Christ will you help me in the wild waves?
