St. Pauls United Church of Christ

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Mexico City is one of the most visited churches worldwide. Our Lady of Guadalupe is Mexico’s version of the Virgin Mary. The church in Puerto Vallarta is in tribute to her as well. If you ever get there, check it out. There is something “awesome” about it, it feels powerful or magical. It brought me to tears for some reason.

The story about it that made a difference in my life happened while I was visiting the church two or three years ago. I checked out the church one evening after dark. I couldn’t get into the church but I walked around it and looked inside the best I could. I was awestruck with the aura surrounding the holy place and I just stood in silence soaking it all in for maybe twenty to thirty minutes. As I was walking away I heard a car screeching to a stop. I looked back and saw a taxi driver bolt out of his taxi cab parked right in the street in front of the church. The driver ran to the front steps of the church and “hit his knees” and bowed his head with his hands folded held out in front of him. I don’t know, maybe it was the moonlight shining down on him, or it was the difference in size of the small man in front of this large church but the picture that was created of this kneeling praying man silhouetted by the magnificent church in the moonlight was one of incredible beauty. It is a picture that I will never forget.

The thought of this working man taking a moment out of his fast paced business night to pay his respect to his maker is somewhat inspirational. Then the line of cars building-up behind the road-blocking taxi cab started honking their horns in turn. The man finished his prayer and made his catholic sign of the cross and then rose to his feet looking at the church in a state of awe. This lasted about five seconds until the horns started honking again and the taxi driver bolted to his cab and spun his wheels taking off.

No matter how busy our days or nights are, no matter how many troubles are piling up, no matter how many distractions are blowing their horns at us; let us always take a moment to soak-up the presence and awe of our maker, and give God thanks!

Peace2U,

Pastor Timothy

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Puerto Vallarta Mexico