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The Same Spot

During lunch today, my friend and I were discussing the current economic and social issues facing Europe right now. It was a rather in-depth conversation for two Americans, but we're both very interested in different cultures. She even lived in Spain for a year in college and started her teaching career there. (She is also my biggest supporter for the idea of moving abroad for a few years.)

I've listened to many of her stories and been completely enthralled by her adventures through Spain and Mexico. I'll be honest, I'm even a bit jealous. She lived the kind of life I wish I had lived (and deliberately gave up for what I thought would be marriage and a family). I certainly didn't choose a path in life that would have allowed for that ten years ago. This rumbled through my head as she told me today that she doesn't regret any of those adventures and that they make her more appreciative of her time now.

"Naples has nothing more exciting to offer me than where I've already been. I like that."

My response was that I wish I had studied culture and language in college (instead of psychology). She looked at me and smiled.

"I don't know. We both ended up in the same spot."

There's a bit of a comfort there in that statement. In the end, I suppose, we all end up in the same spot. This truth is nothing new, I know, but sometimes we need a little reminder that God knows how to get us where we need to be (often in spite of ourselves).

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