Growing Up

I remember reading the first few chapter of Thomas Merton's book Seven Story Mountain some years ago. He describes the little French village he grew up in, noting how the village's layout pointed to God. The church was at the center of the village, and it sat on a hill. All the activity was based around the church. That square was where people gathered, where teenagers hung out, where families got their milk and bread.
I grew up in such a village, but never thought twice about its layout.
But I can see how God has had his hand on me since the day I was born. Last night, I heard some Taize hymns and some greek Orthodox chants - the music plunged me into memories of growing up in my little French village. Every Sunday, my family went to church. The kids didn't understand what was going on (the liturgy was all in Greek) but we knew it was meaningful. We weren't talked down to, or exaplained everything. But there was a deep awareness of God. An awe. A curiosity. Something sacred.
I am just starting to see how all these elements - the village, the rituals of church, praying before meals - shaped me. It wasn't cognitive. I didn't understand much of it. But it shaped my soul. It prepared the way. It taught me reverence and awe. It is part of how I understand God and God's ways today.
And I'm really thankful for those early years.