First Journey to Paris

I sit in the Cluny-Sorbonne Hotel, gazing out the window at the cross-topped dome of the Parthenon that has greeted me each morning in Paris. Tonight is my last night here. I am finding it hard to leave because I have fallen in love with this city. Before I fall into a deep sleep after walking miles of cobble-stone sidewalks and roads, I am pushing myself to force heavy-eyes open so that I can blog about a few of the highlights of our first journey to Paris.

For over 20 years, I dreamed of seeing Paris, but I could not comprehend that there was a world quite like this one...miles and miles...and miles of buildings that stood before Columbus ever discovered America...churches where people worshipped and honored God, pouring their hearts out to Jesus for hundreds of years before anyone ever thought of seeking 'The New World.'

Our first visit was to the Parthenon where I stood in awe of the amazing architecture. How did people build so exquisitely and so precisely without the massive machinery and technology that we take for granted today? It saddens me that our modern world has forgotten, or perhaps does not see value in taking the time and energy to put precious, creative energy into our structures.

Next we walked into Notre Dame where a choir sang angelically. I honestly felt the presence of God before I even crossed the threshold. I sat and listened...and wept a bit.

Another highlight was climbing The Arc de Triomphe, where our friends, Joel and Cheryl, stood with us and we prayed over Paris. What a pivotal moment and a vital place to pray from...in the center of old Paris, where we could look out over miles of beautiful pieces of art and speak God's heart for the people. I believe that Paris was birthed in honor of God, initially. Nearly every structure bears the marks of Christianity...a cross, a word, or something of that nature. The word 'honor' can be seen often. Imprints of a love for Jesus remain, yet She has forgotten her First Love...but that is changing.

As we stepped into Napoleon's burial place (I am too tired to remember the name, currently), I began to cry as I stood in the courtyard. I can't explain it, exactly, but my heart was moved with compassion for this nation and I could feel God's desire in me. As I looked at my feet on the cobble stone, I wondered who had walked there, what they felt and what they might have prayed. There are many stories of miracles that occurred in France, so I know that God moved here long ago. I later found out that the place where I stood is called, 'The Courtyard of Honor.' Interesting.

We walked to the Eiffel Tower at night. My husband pulled me aside to find a quiet place where he handed me a set of headphones that played Diana Krall's "The Look of Love" and we danced. Just as we began our dance, the Eiffel Tower lit up with flashing lights, much like a Disneyworld magical moment. Oh, and a vendor twisted his arm to buy me a rose. Good move.

Later, we visited Sacre Coeur, Catholic Church, which sits on top of a hill overlooking Paris. We walked past armed guards and stepped inside to find mass in progress. We sat and listened to the French priest as he led the people through their prayers. The ceiling was a huge mosaic bearing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, along with several saints...and the Pope who was holding the globe in his hands, lifting it up to Jesus. The significant thing about this church is that they have held 24/7 prayer there without a break for over 120 years! I believe God is answering many of those prayers and Paris is in for a flood of God's glory. I am not Catholic, but I believe that God honors the prayers of all of His children...even some who are not, but that's a whole other story.

The most wonderful moment for me was today, February 23, 2011, at Notre Dame, where Joel and Cheryl and our children gathered around us to pray blessings over our marriage. The church bells began to ring. My husband and I stood face-to-face, hand-in-hand and read each other a love letter, written from the depths of our hearts. We renewed our vows and then he carried me over the threshold of Notre Dame, where we entered the cathedral and heard a choir singing as people bowed their heads in worship.

As we walked across Paris this afternoon, we came across a carousel. I have always had a silly childhood dream of having a giant carousel in my own backyard. It was very rainy and cold, so no one was even in the park, yet two men stood there waiting to sell tickets. Guess what the name of the carousel was??? The Circus of Love!! Our family and friends all got on we played Benjamin Dunn's 'Circus of Love' on the Ipod. It was a wonderful, beautiful day with many memories we will never forget.

Lastly, tonight I stood at our 6th floor window and opened it wide to look out over the city once more. I picked up my French Bible and read Isaiah 60 and then Luke 4:16-19. I have always heard Luke 4:19 in English which usually says 'the favorable year of the Lord,' but I love the way the French Bible puts it: 'une annee de grace du Seigneur.' THE YEAR OF GRACE!!!! As I read it, those words really hit me. Surely God is in love with Paris...and so am I.