ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 16, 2026
Donna and I got away over the weekend to a little cabin in Arkansas for a couple of nights, and though it was hot (actually, slightly hotter near Hot Springs than Houston), we had a wonderful and relaxing time. It was one of those short breaks where we both said, “Can we stay two more weeks?” Early Sunday morning, we went over to Garvan Woodland Gardens, including spending time at Anthony Chapel. If you’ve never been there or seen pictures, it is an absolutely gorgeous glass chapel in the woods. Because of a wedding, we were not able to spend a lot of time in the space, but we had some quality time when it was just the two of us and another couple who was taking pictures.
A few weeks ago, I spoke about changing our mindset so we can see the sacredness in all things. Too often, we live in a dualistic world – there is the sacred and the profane, the good and the bad, the godly and the ungodly. And when that is our expectation, we tend to see just that and only that. And because we believe there are these strict categories, we make decisions rapidly and based on assumptions that may not necessarily be true. How often is our perception of sacredness based on our expectation? To be honest, as we entered the park and started walking toward the chapel the other day, I was needing some sacred space. I found it! Though after we left the chapel, we wandered the gardens. There I found sacred space. On our drive back to the cabin, we drove down a tree-lined highway with numerous turns, and Donna said out loud, “It’s really quite beautiful.” It was a sacred moment. Then we got back to the cabin, I took off my shoes, and stretched out on the couch, while Donna got comfortable in the recliner. It was very quiet for a period of time, and once again, it felt like sacred space.
Not every experience will feel sacred to everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. However, for those who are open to the possibility and even needing a little sense of sacredness, they may find it. Alternatively, it could be the sacredness of God finding us.
Holy Presence, O Sacred God, inspire within us expectations that might have us seeing things, not as the culture around us might see them, but as you see them. With such vision, we catch a glimpse of beauty, life, joy, peacefulness, and because you are the source of all these things, we see you. Thank you! Amen.
