I am so tired of traveling. I’ve spent most of July in some other town that is not my own. Yesterday I spent six hours in the airport in Springfield, Missouri. The goal was to get on an early flight so I could get home to go on a date with Candyce. Needless to say, that didn’t happen.

I spent most of the day taking naps in the vacant airport chapel. I didn’t see this as irreverent because it was hardly a chapel. It looked like an airport lounge and not at all like a chapel. I understand that you have to create a semi-sacred space that will please a variety of religions, but the “spiritual icon” that was fixed on the wall was ridiculous. I am sure it’s considered a “modern sculpture” by the artist, but to me it looked like the skeleton of a model pirate ship wrapped with clear plastic…and then splattered with paint. It was one of the most visually displeasing things I’ve seen in years. It hardly inspired prayer or wonder. I imagine the Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists who frequent the chapel would’ve been content with photo of the Grand Canyon.

While at the conference, I spoke to a group of 1000 young men for an hour. Years ago when I first began traveling and speaking at events, I don’t think I understood what an awesome privilege it is to speak to a group like that. Because in a few short years, these guys will be off to college. And eventually they will become husbands and fathers. Members of society, leaders in their community. Coaches in little league baseball. That just blows my mind.