The Joy of the Sojourn

Sojourn- to stay for a short time in a place.

My adventure to Rome is a sojourn. I am no longer living at home. The familiar no longer dwells within my gaze. This new place is unfamiliar. I barely know the language. I know few people. And except for the 18 people with whom I live, I have little support. To get here I had to say goodbye to my beloved home. The comfortable in my life is thousands of miles behind me. Leaving behind the light of familiar lands, I have stepped into the foggy unknown.

Initially, I was saddened to say goodbye to home. Leave behind everything was difficult. It hardly improved upon getting to Italy. I found alot of my days were spent in homesickness. I longed to see again my friends, my family, and Geneva. In essence, my sojourn was emotionally wearying and kept me restless.

In the grief of my sojourn, Jesus has sustained me and opened my eyes to where I am. He is teaching me how to see, to enjoy where I am now. For a few days now I have been asking for His consoling hand in my homesickness; I have asked Him to help me enjoy this opportunity.

Today, I have started to really dive-in to this new place. As I was going through my day, I was hearing much about what is happening with my friends at home. I was starting to think about that alot. I was so concerned about what was happening back in Pennsylvania. Then something clicked in my mind. Why am I so concerned with home, I thought. I want to be more concerned about what is happening here in Rome. I don't want to be totally disconnected with whats happening at Geneva, but what is going in Rome takes first place in mind.

When I decided to start living mentally where I am physically, I found harmony. The discord was banished. After I decided to push aside overwhelming concern for the events of home, the beauty of Rome became real to me. It happened when I went out for dinner tonight. With a group of my friends from Geneva, we went for dinner at L'Insalata Ricca. All around the ristorante were narrow side streets. They teemed with people from every age group and ethnicity. Subtle, warm lights emanted from the numerous ristoranti. The hushed murmur of conversation filled the background.

After dinner, we stumbled upon Piazza Navona. The square is touched with elegant grace. A majestic palace sets regality upon the background. On either side of the Piazza, marble fountains depict the sea god, Neptune, and his entourage at play. Between these fountains of divine frivolity is a large obelisk from Egypt. These structures make Navona grand, but what makes it beautiful is the culture brought by the people. Upon entering the Piazza, we were met with the energy of a Spanish musical festival. Alongside that, people were selling gorgeous works of art depicting scenery of Rome and Italy at large.

These two events helped me realize the living poetry of Italian life. By truly opening my eyes I have begun to enjoy life in Italy. My sojourn here is no longer a weary wandering. It has become a time of happiness and rest. The original meaning of sojourn is in fact to rest. Indeed, I have found the joy of my sojourn.