You all know me—big cities aren’t really my thing. I’m much more at home in the mountains. But cities are part of life, and even in the hustle and bustle, there’s always some reprieve if you’re open to it. For me, that often means getting up early, avoiding the crowds, and taking in the sights from a different perspective.
The other day, I rode up to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur just as the city was waking up. Hardly anyone was around, and I watched the sunrise—a rare moment of stillness in a usually busy place. I spent some time sitting quietly inside the church, soaking it all in. As I was leaving, I snapped this photo—two pigeons contentedly pecking at crumbs in the porch, an area that was so packed later in the day you could barely move. My mind immediately went to Psalm 84:3: “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.”
It’s in these little moments that my perspective shifts. I’m reminded of God’s peace—the kind that cuts through the noise and rush of life, offering stillness even in the busiest of places. I’m reminded of His constant presence, that He’s not only found in the quiet of the mountains but also in the heart of the city, where things can feel overwhelming. His presence isn’t tied to my surroundings but to the quietness I find within. And above all, I’m reminded of His goodness. Whether life is easy or hard, whether I’m feeling at home in the mountains or lost in the city, His goodness remains. It’s this peace, presence, and goodness that ground me, reminding me that no matter where I find myself, I am never far from Him. It’s in the simplicity, the stillness, and the quiet that His presence becomes clearest, and I can rest in knowing He is always near.
Of course, the mountains and remoteness will always be the most rejuvenating and refreshing for me, but it’s good to know that His peace is with me, no matter where I am.
