When I was in my youth I felt like I didn’t need a specific place to talk to God. I could do that in any setting, whenever I wanted to. I can still remember one very intense afternoon when I had that conversation while walking in the woods.
I still went to mass back then but I resisted it. I was impatient during the service, often glancing at my watch to see how much of the hour was still left before I could leave and continue my day.
I’ve grown much wiser in the intervening years.
Nature is still a good place to reflect and pray but my attitude towards church has shifted. I now understand the value of the community of believers that surrounds me when I’m in a church and I appreciate the insulation I feel when I enter the doors of a chapel, a prayer room or a church. These spaces are sacred. They filter out the cacophony of the world and center me in God’s presence.
Mass has become something I joyfully anticipate.
Churches have become my favorite places.
My father-in-law, who is a deacon in the Catholic church, would be happy to know I no longer claim “travel status” on Sundays when I’m vacationing. Whenever possible I now seek out the nearest church, welcoming the discovery of a new place to worship.
My only regret is that I didn’t arrive at this ” favorite place” in my spiritual development much earlier in my life.
pauses&clicks 
Such an amazing blog for such an amazing week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know that long discussed “phone conversation” we are going to have someday? This post answers so many of my questions….Thank you for sharing this. (email coming soon about travel, etc.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are so beautiful. I will post some from our trip in Dec. 2014.
Sent from my iPad
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julie, I enjoyed these so much and share your love for the church. I loved the young girl lighting the devotional candle. I am a candle lighter; it’s very special to me. I went to a Catholic Church when my dad was in Viet Nam everyday…even walked up to the church on Saturday. Needless to say; that was the year I thought I wanted to be a nun:) i LOVE your blog!!!
LikeLike
Cathy, I didn’t know that….how sweet for a young daughter to do that for her dad away at war. I also never knew you thought about being a nun! Glad you didn’t…I may never have met you!!! Okay, now my Catholic guilt is kicking in….how can I possibly be happy about a vocation that never came to fruition?!?
LikeLike
Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere 🙂 Amen sister Julie
LikeLike
I LOVE visiting St Joseph’s altars! Did you happen to find one in Shreveport or was that on a trip to NOLA?
LikeLike