Daily Thought for Sunday 17th May 2026
“They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven?’”
Acts 1:11
Never once alone
Janet Anderson
We were so looking forward to visiting our young family in Portugal – the usual 7am flights booked, car hire sorted!
When my husband discovered a work commitment that would prevent him travelling with me, though disappointed, we knew he would catch up a day or two later.
Still in recovery after surgery, managing my own luggage would not be a problem! My husband would drive me to the airport, check in my suitcase; and our son would collect me at the other end. So off we set, unperturbed.
Best laid plans…
That morning, Alentejo was waking up to a disaster. It was one of the worst days of flooding that Portugal had experienced, the River Tagus let loose, running wild. I could see it from the plane.
Lisbon Airport filled with stranded passengers. Panic filled the air.
I considered the Metro – to Oriente, from where I might escape overland by train or bus.
“Are you crazy?”, I thought. “Unsteady on your feet, unable to lift your suitcase?”
I felt sure I would manage, somehow.
Lifts and escalators inoperative, a young lad whisked my case up the two flights from the Metro. Overland train station inaccessible, I successfully navigated the sea of slippery cobble stones and kerbs to the bus station. At the ticket office, an assistant found me the best bus, the right stop… and a seat. Forever waiting outdoors, damp and cold, people were happy to chat, share stories, snacks, despite worries over homes lost, relatives uncontactable.
Many hours later, I found myself sitting high and dry on an unexpectedly plush coach, the kind with the luggage underneath, sailing through the beautiful Cork Valley towards our family’s home, reflecting on the day, its challenges and how I never once felt helpless or alone.
Shall we pray?
Father, though you seem far away, looking down on us from a heaven we cannot see, thank you for sending Jesus, who walks with us right here on earth, every step of the way. Amen.
Janet Anderson is a musician, teacher and elder in Longniddry Parish Church.