Yes, I'm posting early. I'm traveling on Friday and Saturday, so I figured if the day didn't get too overwhelming I'd post my Friday Shoot Out on Thursday. This week's theme was chosen by Rebecca: "Places of Worship". The rest of the club can be found here.
Not being a religious person, I don’t have a particular place of worship. In fact, I just don’t worship in the sense that you probably mean it. 
There are churches and chapels all over France, of course. Common as houses. But you can see that any time. 
Do I disappoint?
Have you come over here thinking Now we’re going to see some great history and glorious architecture? Here will be Notre Dame de Paris. The Cathedral at Chartres. The Vatican with its most famous chapel.
Or maybe, more in my style, there will be little stone churchlets still serving after thousands of years. The unusual and striking. The mosaic inlays of mosques in Paris and Marrakech. 
Nah. 
That would be too expected. 
These are my places of worship.
The open spaces.
The towering skies. 
The life of the world going quietly its way. 
The stones sparkling in the surf.
I have occasional moments too in the cemetery, where the colorful tombs of France are so peaceful and serene. Yet at the same time it is lively and lived-in with the traces of people coming to visit regularly: the flowers are fresh, elderly women come and go, the gardener is about. This is another part of our town.
No matter the day it is quiet here. I can commune with those who have gone before, and reflect on the ephemeral nature of our lives, the will of people to remember, and the continuity of our life together. I find that this life here and now is all the more precious justly because it’s all we have.
Not being a religious person, I don’t have a particular place of worship. In fact, I just don’t worship in the sense that you probably mean it. There are churches and chapels all over France, of course. Common as houses. But you can see that any time. Do I disappoint?Have you come over here thinking Now we’re going to see some great history and glorious architecture? Here will be Notre Dame de Paris. The Cathedral at Chartres. The Vatican with its most famous chapel.
Or maybe, more in my style, there will be little stone churchlets still serving after thousands of years. The unusual and striking. The mosaic inlays of mosques in Paris and Marrakech. Nah. That would be too expected. These are my places of worship.The open spaces.
The towering skies. The life of the world going quietly its way. The stones sparkling in the surf.
I have occasional moments too in the cemetery, where the colorful tombs of France are so peaceful and serene. Yet at the same time it is lively and lived-in with the traces of people coming to visit regularly: the flowers are fresh, elderly women come and go, the gardener is about. This is another part of our town.
No matter the day it is quiet here. I can commune with those who have gone before, and reflect on the ephemeral nature of our lives, the will of people to remember, and the continuity of our life together. I find that this life here and now is all the more precious justly because it’s all we have. Have a good weekend, everyone!
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15 comments:
I will join you in your devotions. The most extraordinary thing about a sunset is that it goes on and on all around the world.
I am in full agreement with you on open spaces and places of worship. But your new header is fantastic / spectacular / totally satisfactory.
have a great weekend.
I am a nature lover as well and never feel closer to the Divine than when I am deep in the heart of the forest.
Your photo of the tree, 3rd from the bottom I think, is excellent.
Have a good trip!
The monestary is absolutely gorgeous. And I, too, like cemetaries.
The truth is, EVERYWHERE is a place of worship, both the official places and the wide open spaces.
Beautiful images, btw!
what a marvelous post! I love your words and take on the theme. great job!! enjoy your weekend!!
Just gorgeous. Who wouldn't get down on their knees at the sight of that perfect little crab?
Whether you do the cathedrals or the scenery, France is spectacular! Visiting here is always a special occasion. The Romanian Church at the beginning was breathtaking enough, but then on we go through the hills and dales of France. How gorgeous this visit was! Thank you Nancy. Look Patty... one of your crabs escaped to France. (like THEY'RE not going to eat him), ha, ha. He's too cute to eat, Chef Pierre!
Best Wishes, Barry and Linda
Great photos NanU.I'm much closer to spirituality outside these days, but what a beautiful building in the first photo.Tanxzs ye!
Ohhh that Romanian Monastery that you have as your header today is amazing!!
Just to not mislead you, photos 1 and 4 are from Iceland; then the desert, the crab and the beach stones are all in San Diego. The rest is all France, quite near to my home in Aubière. I was going to do a no-buildings post, but then remembered that one day we toured the monasteries in Romania and couldn't resist. I'll be going back there!
I agree with you and your beautiful places of worship. The creator is all around when we are with nature.
With you in every sense.
x
I believe the proper response is "Amen."
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