Thursday, September 5, 2013

Finding Our Way

We've been looking at this lovely building for almost two years. It's the focal point of the view from our balcony.

Nobody's been able to tell us what it is. Can't say how many times we said we need to go and find out for ourselves. 

Last week we loaded my Honey's backpack with water and snacks and headed in that direction. We rode a tram to the closest stop we could figure.

We found ourselves on the other side of the familiar spires, looking across low buildings, empty lots, and a highway. It was an interesting change in perspective. The tricky part was obviously going to be finding our way around the barriers with no idea of what route to take. 

Curt went into a business to ask directions. They were too busy to help. We were on our own.

We set off toward the corner that would turn us to a straight on view. We fixed our eyes on the towers and started walking right at them. 

Crossing the highway turned out to be a lot less scary than I thought. There were crosswalks and buttons to signal our desire to cross. Once we reached the other side we needed to choose a pathway even though we couldn't see where any of them led. 

There were other people making their way along, but we couldn't follow them because we didn't know if they were going to the same destination. We chose the most central sidewalk even though it looked short and started walking. 

I chattered as we made our way along various twists and turns - to keep up my courage. 

All of a sudden in the midst of the uphill trek we realized we couldn't see the towers any more. That's when the decision making process got really tricky. We've been in Prague long enough to know that streets go back and forth and connect with each other. We put that experience into practice as we continued to move in the general direction of our goal.

We came to a spot where we had no idea what was ahead. The wide steps were a relief from the uneven sidewalk and they went upward so we took them.

At the top we were able to see the towers again and confirm our direction.

The sight brought sweet relief.

A few minutes later we came to another stairwell, not quite so wide nor so pretty. 

The steps were also more difficult for me to climb. But we took them anyway because they led us upward where we needed to go.

Besides the previous stairs led toward success so we hoped these would too.

Thankfully it wasn't much longer before we were in full view of the towers and the way to reach them. 


We discovered that Svata Norberto, Saint Norbert church, was in the midst of a roof replacement project. 

We spent a few minutes resting from our hike and marvelling at the beauty of the architecture. 


There are delights like this waiting to be discovered all over Prague.

Then we stepped inside to see what else we might find. We were not disappointed.
 

The peace we felt was nearly palpable. 

The noise of the construction project as well as the outside traffic faded away. We were alone in a quiet sanctuary, separated from the hustle and bustle of the world. 

Peace and calm washed over us as we revelled in the joy of applying ourselves to a strenuous task and reaching our goal. 

Today I ponder this adventure.

I wonder how many times I've sat and considered a dream I'd like to attain, some character trait I'd like to develop. 

Did I wait for nearly two years as with this journey?

What delights and growth and fellowship and success and joys have I missed?

How about you? Are you looking off in the distance at a desire that's waiting for you to pursue it? 

Dear LORD, please cause each of us to stand up, to fix our eyes on You, and to persevere along the path You've laid out for us. Help us to ignore the fear and the hardships, to have right attitudes and actions as we labor toward the sanctuary of Your presence. Amen

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  1 Chronicles 28:9



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