Disillusionment

Written by cycleguy on July 30th, 2014

Disillusionment

Arrogance

Pride

Foolhardiness

Mispreparation

Man’s ingenuity

A lot of words can be used to describe this visit. My ultimate highlight of the vacation was spending time with my family. Make no mistake about that. But I have to admit I did have one major goal in our recent visit to Pigeon Forge (and it certainly wasn’t Dollywood or Country Music of any fashion).  Two words:

TITANIC MUSEUM

I didn’t even know there was such a thing until Jo made a trek to PF on Memorial Day weekend with three other ladies and they went through the museum. She is not a Titanic fan by any stretch and has not even seen the movie. But she really liked it and knew I would. So as her “bribe” to get me to go, the Titanic Museum was my reward. 🙂

We all know the story of Titanic so there is no sense in repeating it here. If you don’t…one word…Google. 😉 I won’t lie: I like the movie-chic flick or not. I can draw so many lessons from it. But in reality, I know the movie is cinema; I am fascinated by the real event. The history. The people. The reaction. The laissez-faire attitude of surrounding ships. The same attitude of many of the crew. The adjectives I used at the very beginning of this post. So many fascinating details, stories, sights. An iceberg to touch. Water the temperature of the ocean that night to put your hand into. The story told about the one pastor who spent his last moments asking people if they were saved. The one black man on board (a Haitian engineer denied First Class passage due to his interracial marriage to his white wife). The chivalry of so many. The “class” of John Jacob Astor. The “arrogance” of Benjamin Guggenheim. The love of the Strauss’, the founders of Macy’s, who refused to separate after 45+ years together (and gave her life vest to their maid).

Braden thought I spent all day there. I think I was there for about 2 hours…and trust me I could have stayed longer. I walked out with conflicting emotions. 1517 souls sunk with her. The ship “not even God could sink” sunk on its own. So many mistakes. So many good stories. All for me…to learn from…to remind myself of the dire consequences of arrogance…the utter disillusionment wealth, fame, and fortune gain. But also stories of men and women who thought of others before themselves, many sacrificing their lives so someone else may live. Did you know Astor put his wife on the lifeboat and then found a child to put in his place? Those kinds of stories remind me of the ONE who gave Himself freely for me…for you…so we would not be lost.

If you get a chance…go to the Titanic Museum and be prepared to be amazed, humbled, overwhelmed, and much more.

 

17 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    Great stories of courage and cowardice here. I wonder how I would have reacted in such a situation?

  2. I have driven by it plenty of times, but never have gone in.

  3. Jacci says:

    I agree, great place to visit.
    Great for kids as well!

    • cycleguy says:

      Didn’t know you had been there. I think Braden would have liked it but gotten bored also. Did your kids enjoy it?

      • Jacci says:

        My kids enjoy history. Eli even did well there and he was 2. I was really nervous about taking him tho! It is a place that makes you think, that is for sure!

  4. floyd says:

    Wow. Your post just sent me through an array of emotions as well, Bill. Powerful lesson in your words today. May they stay with me…

  5. Caleb Suko says:

    My dad is a chalk artist and I remember that he often would do a Titanic chalk drawing for the kids in Sunday School or for Vacation Bible School. Such great lessons we can learn from the mistakes of others.

    • cycleguy says:

      I loved watching chalk art. used to try to do some myself early on my ministry. Wanted to do too much detail plus couldn’t talk and draw at the same time. 🙂 you are right though about the lessons from mistakes.

  6. Sounds like a fascinating place, for sure. Those types of things fascinate me as well. I enjoy people’s stories and history. Even the simple and “mundane” stories can pack so much insight and truth and then times of disaster like this–it’s incredible. I may just have to check this out someday. We go to visit my wife’s family in Kentucky sometimes so I’ll have to see if this is close enough to that or not. Thanks Bill.

    • cycleguy says:

      If you love history jason you will absolutely love this. It will be worth your while to get there. You can check online for info as well and tickets. Plan to get their early, beat the crowd, and take your time. I’m ready to go back.

  7. Nancy says:

    I’m so glad you all had such a great time on vacation. I’m sure it will have a long range positive impact on your family. Vacations, done right, just share the love, heal, bond, give respite but most of all, are the best memories and best time for all.