The Beauty of Life


 

We are currently in the midst of a long stretch of 100 plus degree days. It is a brutal Texas summer. Even with irrigation, you get the feeling that every green and growing thing is barely hanging on to life. There is no end in sight as flowers burn up in the blazing sun.
As I walked down the sidewalk, I came upon this pleasant surprise. A delicate little flower, new and beautiful. For a moment, the oppressive heat was forgotten. There was only this moment that seemed stolen from Spring, when the colors of the flowers have yet to fade and the green has not yet been stressed by the heat. It was a gift.
One thing I have noticed over these couple of years of walking is how, in spite of everything that may be going on in the world or going on in a life, there are moments of beauty and power along the way. There are things and people and opportunities that remind us of God’s presence and of our connection to God and to one another. When teaching about God and living in relationship with God, Jesus said to “consider the lilies” and that not a single “sparrow falls from the sky apart from the Father.” All round us are reminders of God, of the good, of the beauty of life. May we have eyes to see. May we pause and be thankful.
Peace.

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