"Till the Whole World Knows!!"

I'm weaving my way through pedestrian traffic in front of the Bank of Ireland (the old Parliament building) at Dame Street and Westmoreland Street, Trinity College is to my right. So many tourist. But I'm by myself and the sense of freedom that comes just from that is almost overwhelming. I was going to take this journey across to the other side of the Liffey River into the north side nice and slow. But as I listen to Taylor Swift sing "State of Grace" through my ear buds, I can't help but feel like I'm floating through all the 6 o'clock foot traffic, resonating with this song like I never have before.

I realize TS is singing about a boy, per her usual. But per my usual I read way too much into a song and can't help but wonder if the "love" she talks about falling into and "I never saw you coming"... if that couldn't be a metaphor?

"Walking fast through the traffic lights

Busy streets and busy lives

And all we know is touch and go

We alone with our changing minds

We fall in love till it hurts or bleeds, or fades in time

And I never saw you coming

And I'll never be the same"

The song goes on about more serious relationship drama, that I'll leave as is. But just this first verse, basically everyday of my life in Dublin! (I imagine it'd would be the same for any big city).

But that chorus, "I never saw you coming, and I'll never be the same." It's true regarding Dublin. I never expected to love it so much. "One cities just like another city", to quote myself the first time I ever experienced Dublin. And it is true that it is a melting pot of lots of cultures. And sometimes I'd have to go to a Carroll's (the-everything-you-can-think-of-cliche-Irish tourist shop) just remind myself that I was in fact in Ireland. But I think it's fare to say that I'll never be the same for having known Dublin and having lived in it for a year and a half.

It's not just the city that I grew to love, but it was the people in it. It was through a lot of prayer that God break my heart for what breaks His. The people of this city, regardless of their nationality, are His people too. So, even the name of Taylor Swift's song "State of Grace" seems appropriate. But by the grace of God....

So with that in mind, I turn my eyes to America. Praying the same prayer I had to pray a year ago. "God break my heart for what breaks yours. Warm my heart for what warms yours".

And so begins the next adventure. America.