Castles, Kings and Queens

I have always loved going inside houses and seeing how people live (or lived), what their daily lives look like as they move around the rooms, how they decorate, the view from their windows...

I have always wanted to go inside a castle, too, to feel what it might have been like to have lived in a certain time period. Last week I got to go into two castles in Spain. The splendor and workmanship that went into the surroundings was beautiful and in some cases, according to my taste, almost gaudy. But more than that, I had a feeling of hollowness, an emptiness, of knowing that years have come and gone, wars have been fought, some of the kings and queens were good rulers and others horrible. Living in a castle might have made life a little better but not necessarily happier, and a life without God and the love of Christ leaves only the momentary wealth and power of a spec in eternity.

I am so happy to be living in a small apartment without a lot of worldly possessions and having a relationship with the creator of the universe! And, as far as grand houses go, isn't that what Jesus said, that He is getting a place ready for us in His Father's house?