2015 Postscript

We covered many kilometers by plane, ship, train, tram, metro, bus, atv, bicycle, tennis shoe, and flip flop.

We traversed the high ridges of the Greek Isles, the dairy lands of Switzerland, the cobbled lanes of Barvarian walled cities, the canals of the Dutch lowlands, and the heights of Eiffel's tower. 

We consumed mass quantities of cheese, chocolate, gyros, french fries, crêpes and more than the occasional beer.

We woke up early for the calm of the morning and stayed out too long and stayed up too late on too many nights. 

We had many great meals prepared by head chef Tara with first understudy Riley.  

We climbed stairs of wood, stone, steel, and dirt. Ancient stairs and modern stairs. Stairs made steep, straight, crooked, and spiral. 

We slept in structures centuries older than our country.

We were hostily hustled into a youth hostile with hostile youth. 

We saw a collection of art from across history and collections dedicated to the old European ruling classes.

We tried our tongues at a few different languages and lent our ears to all of them.

We saw remains of the once great Greek Empire. 

We wandered through castles, a few rich and unspoiled, others the graveyard of their former glory. 

We strained our necks upward in the emptied halls of once powerful churches. 

More than anything we enjoyed each other's company and have further solidified our relationships. 

I am once again thankful to God for keeping us safe, showing us more of His world and allowing us not to get too lost along the way.  Although this is our families second trip to Europe and my sixth, plus a bunch of work trips, I came away with something different this time. It may be very obvious to others but it really weighed in me this time. 

In our travels of June past few years we have seen remnants of the Greek, Roman and Asian Empires of antiquity and the ruling classes of Europe's Middle Ages. The human race has witnessed the rise and fall of these kingdoms of men. It is amazing to consider the sheer hubris of these rulers. Building empires, kingdoms and castles, to their own glory and to their ultimate ruin. 

The Middle Age church, which should have been a vehicle of hope to the people and a corrective agent to the rulers, had its own corruption. While the cathedrals of the Middle Age church were impressive, the reasons they were built were oppressive. Supposed relics such as the blood of Jesus, His crown of thorns, and the bones of the Magi were housed in these beautiful spaces and used as attractions and impetus for the collection of money and worship. 

In Gods final accounting, not the vastness of your empire, nor the acquisitions of your life, nor the objects of your worship will amount to anything if not for the Grace of God through the sacrifice of the Christ. Apart from His Mercy, and given the power and authority of these kings and cardinals, I would find myself walking in their footsteps and committing what the Word of God condemns them for. I pray that all. May be called to this grace.