I was reflecting today on my little brother Keith. We have talked several times about my visits to England. When Lisa and i went on our honeymoon we stayed in a hotel that was not far from Buckingham Palace (walking distance). Supposedly, the hotel was a converted Castle. The location was near everything we wanted to see in London.
After the wedding and the flight from the states we were both exhausted. We had been up for 2 days before the wedding and there is no such animal as real sleep in a plane. We got to the hotel and litrally fell on the bed and slept. So goes our first daytime in London.
We woke up and it was already dark so we decided to talk a walkabout. First, we found food at a nearby restaraunt and got showers etc. Lisa did not know before she woke up I had done some scouting.
We began our walk and ran into a few bobbies (looking for a lost cat). We spoke and moved on and we saw this big church. I had noticed earlier a sign that we walked by and the building was the rectory for Westminster Abbey. Lisa kept asking what the church was. I finally told her it was Westminster Cathedral. She argued saying it could not be. We walked another block closer and this big clock appeared. I kinda chuckled and said i guess thats just another clock.
Lisa still had not figured out what we were looking at. I began to sing an old Roger Miller tune that goes like this: Engaland swings like a pendulum do, Bobbies own bicycles 2×2. Westmenser Abbey, the Tower Big Ben, the rosy red cheeks of the little children.
I wish i had brought the camera because the realization and wonder of what we were seeing finally washed all over Lisa. You could see the joy and thrill literally take her over.
As i thought about this, i began thinking wait have i lost that joy, the thrill of salvation? Do i take the time to let God’s love wash over me anew?
Psalms 51:12 says “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.
Let’s tomorrow and everyday make this our prayer!
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May 3rd, 2006 at 8:46 am
S So happy to find this blog. A real blessing.
September 12th, 2006 at 10:37 am
stevej - Poignant as always…kind of coincides with an atricle I read in DJ this month…talking about Returning to Awe…while the article mainly talked about being glib in prayer…not realizing who we are talking to and being distracted in the process of it…the point is still the same…being awed by the one that loves us…His majesty…not just that stoops to be with us…
Sincerely
Sara
October 6th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
i love your stories steve
but one problem though, i know i have heard of westminister abbey but i dont really remember what the big deal about it is…..