One of my friends said to me after her visit to Rome that she found it hard to find God in Vatican. I agree. There are places, even holy places where it isn’t easy to find God. For me, Vatican is one of those.

Rome isn’t the mountains. It’s not a place where I can naturally and almost instantly connect with Him.
When I went to Rome last week, I expected nothing. Yet there was this hope that made me say: I don’t know, I don’t understand why I’m really doing this, but I’m open. Do what you need to do… Show me what you need to show me…

Wherever you go, it might seem hard to find God, but if you are open, He might just surprise you and do the finding bit. He will find you if you let Him. It might not be in a way you expect. It might not be in a place you expect.

I encountered Him in another person and in a way that I couldn’t possibly envisage. It was beautiful. It was profound. It was almost sacred. I encountered Him in disappointment and changed plans. Oh boy, it was painful, but He met me there, too. Ah, and of course, in nature… in the olive garden, in the sound of crickets, in the stunning sunset, the scent of jasmine… Meeting Him there wasn’t surprising. I simply didn’t expect being in nature.

I was surprised and I’m ever so grateful.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, will you let Him encounter you?