Mari and I have driven past Sutherland Springs countless times on drives to Austin and Dallas by way of an alternate route we affectionately call "the short cut" although the interstate-avoiding scenic detour actually adds six miles to our journey. Over the years we have discovered along the route a favorite minimarket that sells locally made habanero pickles as well as a local grocery that sells six-packs of saccharine-sweet Tab in its classically-groovy memory-inducing cans. We always look forward to our leisurely short cut drives during the holidays to visit family and friends.
The First Baptist Church is just ten miles west of our detoured leisurely path. The tragic events of last Sunday left me at a complete loss. Prayers felt inadequate.
The above photo is my best snap of Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church, Iceland's largest and tallest church. It was hard to miss less than a half mile from our Reykjavik inn, but also difficult to capture in just one simple photo. What was even harder to miss, however, was its simple beauty. Although just barely 30 years old, the Church of Iceland was under construction for over 40 years. The majestic house of worship rises nearly 25 stories as its clean graceful stone lines explore the skies and command you to look towards the heavens.
On a cloudy early summer day, Mari and I wandered the observation decks in search of the perfect photographable view. I am always in search of a perfect view, however imperfect my own vantage point may be.
As I sifted through recent travel photos of our exciting trip to uncharted (for us) territory, wonderful memories and samplings of souvenir stories began germinating in my brain. Then, as I thought about posting another italicized call for love and concern for one another, it just felt empty like so many empty promises. Instead, I offer you a photographic springboard for your own moment of reflection.
Although I do often share travel, foodie, and fleamarketing recommendations within these hypertextuals, Mari and I are inevitably drawn to houses of worship during our travels. We admire their architecture and their history. I admire their story. I admire the challenges often faced not just in their physical creation, but the challenges also faced by fellow faithful simply celebrating their religious beliefs publicly.
I admire.
I admire those who embrace faith in times of struggle, for it is just so damn easy to have faith in times of peace.
I admire those who forgive freely, for I struggle to be merciful with those I have selfishly judged unworthy.
I admire the faithful departed who created living monuments worldwide, beautiful places for reflection and worship that allow diverse peoples to commune together.
Like my search for the perfect view, perfect fleamarket, or perfect meatloaf,
my own exploration of faith continues without end...
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| Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin |
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| St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans |
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| Mission Concepción, San Antonio, Texas |
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| Church on Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg |
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| Temppeliaukio Kirkko, Helsinki |
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| St. Paul's Cathedral, London |
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| Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Indiana |
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| Hagia Sophia, Istanbul |
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| local family chapel, Mykonos |
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| Amalfi Cathedral, Italy |
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| St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City |
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| Santa Maria de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain |
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| Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona |
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| Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Aix-en-Provence, France |
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| St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna |
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| Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris |
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