Captivated by Beauty Again

The Moon has become a dear friend to me. When I look outside at night and the world is dimly lit due to a bright moon, I instantly smile. It feels welcoming, like an old friend stopping by to say, "Hello! Come and play for awhile!" It usually results in a little joyful dancing. Do you feel that? Is there something in beauty that calls to you so loudly you simply must stop what you are doing and respond? This is where children become wonderful teachers. They will stop in the middle of a street to watch an ant carry a leaf. So while mom is freaking out they are enchanted by the ordinary to the point of obliviousness of their current danger. I know growing up means we become more aware of the bigger picture so the child remains safe. But do we trade away a portion of our wonder to find safety? Is that simply the payment for wanting to raise a family? Or is God, as always, asking us to live in the tension of it all? Holding wonder and care in a marvelous ebb and...

When my kids were young, I was in a constant state of awe by their creativity. (I was also always cleaning up after their creativity so the awe ebbed and flowed.) Children just like creating things. It seems so natural to them; almost like breathing. My kids are now college age and above and they have thanked us for all the play focused learning they were able to enjoy as children. We homeschooled for most of their young years and they simply had time to endlessly create so that's what they did! I can still see it in them as they go forth into the world. I am deeply proud of them! Maya Angelou has a wonderful quote: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." I saw that in my kids, but for some reason it did not translate into my own life. I never saw myself as much of a creator although I could recognize it in other people quickly. In fact it may be one of the most consistent threads in my friendships. I simply am attracted to other c...

I have spent a considerable portion of my life watching birds at my bird feeders. There is something so delightful about the way we are constantly surrounded by a species that flys and sings. All you have to do is put out some food and they become visible. And just when it seems already too amazing to see their array of colors and shapes and sizes, God paints the earthly pallete white with a fresh snow fall! My heart exclaims, "Oh my, my Lord! That is next level stuff and so beautiful! Thank you!" At the suet feeder, the downy headed woodpecker gives way to the slightly larger bright red headed flicker who is then displaced by the practically prehistoric looking piliated woodpecker. (Those are just all fun words to say much less witness!) All of it playing out on a bright white canvas that is almost too pure for the eyes. So I close my eyes and just listen to the chorus. The sparrows are loud and in mass and then suddenly silence as if the song is over or perhaps it ...

When I was young, creation called to me. That captivated me and scared me if I am honest. Throughout my life I have found myself continually called back to the creation through beauty and that is how Jesus wooed me to himself. Beauty. The joy of my life now in my 50's is I can see it better; I have more time to play in it; and it is so satisfying to my soul. There is a book called the "Evidential Power of Beauty" Although I have not read it, the title is my experience. There is power in beauty to usher us into the presence of God at a moment's notice; if we are willing to participate. That is a bigger "if" than most people understand. It means we are listening, anticipating, hoping, creating space, watching, using our senses and believing that God is a good Father who longs to draw us near. That's what this blog is about. It is an endless testimony to God's unfailing desire to care for my soul and love me. You might like it ...