28 Blog Post September 30, 2024 “Unknown”

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” I Cor 13:12

Scripture acknowledges over and over that there are things we cannot know—we don’t know the time or date when Jesus will come back (Mark 13:32 among other verses). We don’t always know how to make the right choices (think of all the ways people in the Bible messed up—Abraham, Noah, Peter and of course, Judas). Hebrews 11:1 explains that faith, in part, is the conviction of things not seen. Now that we are at the halfway point of our journey, we know that there are many things we can’t see ahead of us, even though we have planned our time well.

Today we left Florence, and I was not sad to leave. I never got special feeling that other people seem to have about Florence, and as much as I loved the cathedrals and art exhibits, the city itself felt foreign to me. But I had no idea how I would feel or think about Rome, and I was nervous. In fact, I slept poorly again because I am always anxious about what we cannot know or plan for on this trip. Each hotel room, for example, is a mystery until we get there. Will there be enough room for The Suitcases? Will my suitcase even make the trip? Will we get to the train station on time? All unknown.

But the minute I got off the train in Rome, I felt at home. What could possibly be different? The whole vibe of the city feels different to me. While it’s bigger, the sidewalks are wider and there’s more room for people and suitcases like ours to rattle down the streets. It somehow felt friendlier and more welcoming, at least to me. But I didn’t know this before I got there.

Another unknown to us was that Rome is paved with a very specific kind of cobblestone called sampietrini, or literally Little Saint Peters. Why are they called that? Because in scripture Jesus called Peter—Petra—the Rock. The street paving was commissioned in the late 1500s by Pope Sixtus V. Each stone, made of volcanic basalt, is a 12 centimeter cube, still hewn by hand today. They are strong and they allow excess water to drain easily away from the streets into the sand that is packed between them.

Why so much info about these stones? What we didn’t know was that it was going to be really hard to drag suitcases over these lumpy, bumpy rocks, especially my 2 wheeler that is threatening to break down completely. Actually I remembered this from the last time I was in Rome, but the directions from Google told us that we could take the metro from the Rome train station almost directly to the hotel and we wouldn’t need to travel very far with our suitcases. BUT, the unknown was that the Spagna metro station (our station) was closed for repairs so we had to get off the next stop and walk back. That’s where we learned about those cobble stones, as we dragged heavy suitcases that threatened to tip or go off the path.
Another unknown—while we knew our hotel was near the Spanish Steps in Rome, we weren’t sure where. Typing in the hotel name revealed that our hotel was at the tippity-top of the Spanish Stairs (Alistair counted them—over 130 marble steps). Rather than making a spectacle of ourselves by going up the main staircase, we found a side staircase that allowed us to help each other carry up the suitcases. But my gosh, it was a hot day today, and we were both sweating and tired by the time we got to the top.

Another unknown that we just learned tonight—thank goodness we used the side staircase! The Rome police will fine people 400 euros for bringing anything up or down the stairs that could damage them, like strollers or overly heavy suitcases!! Whew!

But the trip up those crazy stairs was worth it because the hotel room is pure gift once again--another beautiful, restful, traditional but modernized hotel room with a 24 hour concierge in an historic building. Once again, our windows swing open completely, letting in air and light, although we have no view this time, other than a construction site.

Another thing about Florence that frustrated me is that I could never find a place to run safely. The sidewalks were just too narrow. The only time I tried to run, guess what happened? I got hopelessly lost once again and International Rescue (Alistair) had to come find me. Sometimes it’s just embarrassing to be me. There’s a lot I don’t know about where I will get to run, or if I will get to run in each of the places we are staying.

What I didn’t know about where we are staying in Rome is that there is a HUGE and beautiful park that overlooks the entire city called Villa Borghese and it’s the city’s largest park. It is also called the Green Lung of Rome, not a very attractive name, but you get the point. I got to go running tonight and it was like every button that has been pushed in me was reset again. I think I smiled the entire time I ran. Another unknown—all this walking—nearly 30,000 steps again today—is making us so strong. Running felt easy and comfortable to me today, and I love when that happens.

Then one more thing that was unknown—our tour of the Vatican is tomorrow and it was supposed to take 3 hours, ending by going up the Dome (more stairs!!) for a panoramic view of Rome from the top of St. Peter’s Basilica, but tomorrow night Pope Francis is holding an event, a penitential vigil, at St. Peter’s square. I am taken by the theme of the vigil:
Sins against peace, creation, indigenous peoples, migrants, women, family, youth; the sin of using doctrine as a stone against others, sins against poverty and synodality (such as the failure to listen, or sins compromising communion or the participation of all) will be confessed.
The Pope will conclude by asking forgiveness from God and all humanity on behalf of all the faithful. Because of this evening service, our tour is being cut short and I bet we won’t be going up to the Dome. I’ll be asking for a rain check, trust me, but we didn’t know until this afternoon.

We have learned that trusting God and each other is the most important part of a successful trip. We are away from home for so long but we have made it this far, and our practical and spiritual lives have been enriched beyond our wildest dreams. Each day I wake up feeling privileged and humbled. I know I say that a lot, but it’s true. This is one thing I DO know. I also know that even though I am seeing partially or imperfectly, I know enough so that I can see where God continues to work on my heart, in my life.

As we begin our Roman adventures, enjoy the random pics of our day today. More than anything else, I pray that we each know that we are beloved of God, and that this knowledge can give us strength and purpose as we navigate the largely unknown waters of our lives.

Be blessed and be a blessing to others,
ML+