Beauty Exposed

I am thankful how God uses beauty to speak to my heart,  sometimes it is in a sunset at the end of a long day,  other times, it simply watching human interaction.   It isn't the beauty that the world would expect you to admire,  but glimpses of the Creator.    I honestly think that He does this to help slow my pace,  to acknowledge the ONE who is bigger than me....     To see HIM in my midst.   I needed to share, this may seem ill written but maybe you will see HIM too....

A wedding where bride and groom followed Gods desire and path for their life and steps were walked out in order that He knew would be good for them, for us....

People sacrificing their own agenda to help someone that has suffered devastation so order can be placed back in their life.

True intimacy of breaking bread with a group of friends or family, where conversations are real,  true, and intimate... not rushing to be at the next destination on our never ending lists of to do's.....

The glimpse of intimacy of couples who choose to work it out even in the depths are the struggle, choosing the beauty of restoration, resolution and commitment.... regardless....

The friend who doesn't need asked to help but see's the need and shows up...regardless of the messy house....

I am moved by real...... beauty in genuine....

Maybe it is the man goes through a winter that holds the darkest of day of his soul, to only come out on the other side choosing life and living adventure that first feeds the soul, then heals it.

Or the friend that lives a distance away but when visiting family chooses to give you a few minutes of their precious time to seek you out and share tea and a deep soul building conversation.   Choosing your friendship as important.

Maybe its the individual fighting to live but a disease is fighting against them,  but they choose to live fully and to make sure the needs of those they love are cared for over their own...

The individual that chooses to live out their conviction even when it separates them from the majority,  they choose truth over deception....  

I am pierced from the beauty of witnessing individuals chose life in the midst of their suffering, choosing love rather than emptiness of the affair with this world....or allowing darkness to overcome their joy.

Or when mercy and grace are offered,  you ping a door of a car, spill water down the front of you before you even enter your work environment...  you battle the devil on your shoulder that tells you not to call,  they will never know it was you.... but choose to pick up the phone, make the call and instead of the expected consequences you receive mercy.... grace.... forgiveness....  beauty in all received....

Choosing beauty in going swimming for the first time in 20 years,  injury stole the physical body of your youth and pride stole the adventure.  But kicking the thief out the door, putting the swim suit on and going into a July heated pool, playing with the kids who could careless in what you look like but love you the person.  Enjoying a mountain sunset in the midst....   choosing life which is choosing beauty....

Drinking your first cup of French pressed coffee and sharing heart conversations with two friends...

Meeting a couple a year ago whose home was took over and vandalized with all the copper being stolen,  no power,  no water.....   being stopped at times to be told first that the water is back on,  then being stopped to ask if I would pray for them,  right on the street we stopped and prayed.  Then being told their power was back on.  And my last interaction was telling me that they are now engaged and want me to attend.     Beauty for ashes,  this is what I saw in my experience with them....

My parents celebrating 56 years of marriage.....  a beautiful gift for sure....

Each of these experiences within the last 30 days....   the last three months being filled with obstacles and adventure but hearing the whisper of HIS beauty in the midst telling me to slow, to pray for eyes to see HIM in the midst.   John Eldredge states "A wound that goes unacknowledged and unwept is a wound that can not heal"   choosing healing in seeing beauty in how HE created it to be, allowing it to heal the deep places of the struggle, allowing tears to mix with the laughter,  knowing growth comes from the affliction and the piercing of beauty....   

May I see HIM today.... may I see HIM in all my todays....