Beauty

I planned to write about planting sugar snap seeds, but the beauty of this tree won’t wait.

What a gift God gives us with Japanese Magnolias! Gorgeous pinks and reds, delicate petals, poignant fragrance that greets me each time I step outside.

My yard is littered with the fragile blossoms already fallen in the breeze. They drift over my house and dot my front yard. I wish whoever planted this tree had planted her in the middle of a field for all to see. Tucked in this tiny space, she has blessed my family for years.

What beauty! Isn’t God amazing to create such rich colors and scents? And gift us with the ability to appreciate, admire, and revel in them?

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11.

Amazing how this beauty elevates my mood. My eyes widen, a smile cracks my face, I take deep breaths and laugh more. Beauty brings me joy. Even on a cloudy day with chilly, misting rain, this tree is like a small sun radiating light. And we who behold it carry that light with us into the world.

This tree is a little of God’s character shining into the darkness.

I was driving the other day and had to stop the car. A row of Bradford Pears in full bloom hugged the road. Stunning beauty. Like giant bridal bouquets of startling white flowers set on the ground.

These beauties have appeared suddenly throughout my neighborhood, the tips of white showing around corners, through fences, in distant yards.

The once random dots of yellow daffodils and jonquils have become fields of golden laughter.

O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4-5.

I cannot help but praise God with joy for these gifts of beauty; they are lights that lead me right back to Him and usher in His presence. What are my worries and frustrations compared to the beauty that surrounds me?

How can I doubt the goodness of God when He creates such beauty? Not only does it bless us today, but it generates the seeds of future beauty, creating an ever more beautiful world around us if we let it.

I am grateful that this tree stopped me this morning. She called for me to set aside my to-do list and appreciate her presence. I am so glad I did.

This beauty is fleeting. Tomorrow, all the petals may fall. Tomorrow, green leaves may replace the pinks and reds and whites. It may snow and cover it all. Today, I need to stop and appreciate this beauty.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8.

The sugar snaps seeds will still be in the ground next week.

Betsy