Rainy days in ireland
I spent the last ten days in Ireland, one of my favorite places to visit. I started traveling to the Emerald Island eleven years ago when I joined a vision journey with Orchard Group, a church planting organization with whom I worked for many years. I loved this unique destination from the time I first stepped off the plane.
This island is called "Emerald" because it is eternally bright green. I don't understand how or why, but Irish green is more green than any other. As my Irish friends would say, "Our green is brilliant!" Irish folks use the word "brilliant" in the same manner I overuse "awesome!" This is the one time the phrase "the grass is greener on the other side" is accurate.
However, there is a reason the vegetation stays green year-round. On the island's western side, it rains around 225 days a year, while precipitation occurs about 151 days in the east. This statistic means that in some areas showers accompany 61% of the Irish year. At the same time, I'll present you with an interesting fact. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as well as two-thirds of the USA, receives more annual rainfall than the land of the leprechaun. Yes, it's true. The capital city of PA gets about 41.5 inches of rain each year, while Dublin receives only 30.2. Much of Ireland's weather is misty rather than hard rainfall, which encourages its reputation as a rainy place. Side note: The same formula is valid for Seattle and New York City, since the Big Apple receives more rain annually.
Ireland's weather is heavily influenced by the Gulf Stream, which keeps moist air blowing off the ocean. This wet air makes western Ireland wetter than the eastern part of the country, even though it seems excessively rainy all over the country. The damp weather falls on land rich in nutrients, and much of it has few trees or forests. Due to this phenomenon, the green grass-covered rolling hills dazzle like a shamrock.
Agriculture is expansive in this country, as are the tech industries and dairy farming. There's nothing like some creamy Irish butter on your English muffin. Though beautiful wooly sheep dot the countryside, Ireland is not among the world's top ten wool producers. To find out which land is number one, you'll need to take a "walkabout."
In my humble but expert opinion, aside from Bono and U2, Irish lads and lassies are the best assets the Emerald nations possess. Actually, Bono and his band are Irish lads, so they've got that going for them. I've developed numerous friendships along the pathway of many journeys to this island, and they are well worth the jetlag to get there.
Americans love the Irish and vice-versa, perhaps because about 25% of all Americans have some Irish descent. Think about it a moment: How many towns in the States have an Irish Pub? The USA lays claim to approximately 4,000 of the 7,000 Irish Pubs worldwide. I love Irish Pubs. There's nothing like a pint of the dark, rich elixir called Guinness and a good chat with my mates sitting in front of a fragrant peat fire on a short stool or ruby red velvet seat that looks more like a living room sofa than a faux leather booth.
Pubs in the land of Saints and Scholars are gathering places for delightful conversation and copious amounts of joviality. Loud, overbearing music is rare, and you'll usually view two sports on the flatscreens: Rugby and Football (Not the phony American version we call football but the one where the athletes use their feet instead of their hands. Just kidding though it is true.)
Another exciting Irish experience is driving on the left side of the road. Finally, a country where they appreciate left-handed people like me. After all, we are the only ones in our right mind who should be recognized on the roads. Some Americans find this kind of driving a bit too scary to try, but I love it. Driving down a narrow country road lined by stone walls and taking curves at breakneck speed while remembering to stay on the left is exhilarating! Everyone should get his experience since it increases one's prayer life in short order. And who doesn't need a better prayer life?
Well, I've droned on about my latest jaunt for the last 700 words, so what's the point? There are several excellent reasons to travel internationally.
Adventuring to distant lands broadens your horizons and expands your narrow worldview. Though our country is lovely, it is not the center of the universe, and it's good to recognize that fact firsthand.
Because the last statement is true, it is enlightening to embrace the concept that many ways to do life are equally fruitful and rewarding as ours. Diversity is a blessing to be encouraged and enjoyed. Jesus propounded a timely maxim that judging others, here or abroad, is not wise. Most of the world will not eat turkey next Thursday, and they will get along just fine.
On the other side of that coin, every culture I've visited worldwide has a nemesis society or two. Dominicans don't like Haitians. Many Irishmen are not particularly endeared to those who tried to force them into a different religious belief system. Pakistanis and Indians have a bleak relationship and hold one of the most militarized borders in the world. Japanese folks don't seem to like the Chinese, as do those in Taiwan. And we are acutely aware of our domestic racial maladies.
How's come everybody's gotta hate somebody? It makes no sense, and these negative sentiments ravish the world with untold misery for no good reason. Jesus told us to love even our enemies and do good for them. Whew! Tough stuff! He sets the bar high and expects nothing less.
So, it seems that the fewer people we consider an enemy, the easier it is to realize the Master's expectations. Traveling abroad is about expanding your circle of love and appreciation of all people, which is a good thing since Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight . . .
Traveling to many places on earth reminds us of how "young" we Americans are. To us, a two-hundred-year-old building is ancient. To the Irish, only the Middle Ages and earlier creations are relics. I always visit a church in Limerick that has been a congregation's site since the 500s! The church across the street was built in about 1177. In Spain, I walked miles on Roman roads constructed not long after Jesus walked the earth.
Traveling to distant lands also makes one appreciate home. As Dorothy said, "There's no place like home." Two days ago, I arose at 2:00 am EST and went to bed back home at 2:00 am after eight hours on a plane, eight hours sitting in airports, and driving nearly four hours. I wanted to be home!
Next week, all my children will gather at their "home place" in Mechanicsburg, PA. Though they have all flown the coop, home is still home. At this location, there will be warmth, security, laughter, and love. It warms my heart that my children still want to endure the hassle of packing up the troops and heading home a few times a year. Perhaps the worthiest accomplishment of my existence is joining with my wife to create this place where the Lord is recognized, invited, and appreciated. This is a harbor where love and laughter, and Jesus reigns.
Going away makes us appreciate home, which is a good thing, a creation worth celebrating. Thanksgiving is an excellent time to set aside for that purpose. You can create this little piece of heaven in your home; everyone can. If you do, I promise you; you will be glad you did. It is an uplifting adventure to visit Oz, but there is indeed no place like home.
This Thanksgiving, I pray you and yours will relish precious moments and thank the One who makes them possible.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
P.S. If you want to view some interesting and fun sites in the Emerald Island, check out my Facebook pages; Don M. Hamilton and DonMarkHamilton.com
